The Toronto Blue Jays have certainly been keeping busy since the end of their 2009 regular season.

A new general manager, a new president and CEO, a whirlwind of front office moves, yet the Jays still have more on their plate to complete.

Toronto manager Cito Gaston, one of the most prolific faces in the Toronto sporting world has decided to give up his managerial duties following the 2010 season when his current contract expires. Gaston signed a four-year consulting agreement with the Jays that begins following the 2010 season.

The Gaston decision was followed with more coaching news as pitching coach Brad Arnsberg announced he will not be returning to the Jays next season opting out of his contract that was due to expire following the 2010 season. Arnsberg will join new Houston Astros manager Brad Mills as his pitching coach.

Bruce Walton, the Jays bullpen coach for the past seven seasons will take over the duties of pitching coach.

Gene Tenace, who arrived as hitting coach when Gaston was hired, has decided to retire from his duties. Last season’s first base coach Dwayne Murphy will take over as hitting coach.

As well as the moves announced by Gaston, Arnsberg & Tenace, new Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulous also made some revisions to the current coaching staff of his own.

After two years as Jays bench coach, Brian Butterfield will shift back to third base coach, a role he filled previously with the Jays from 2002 through 2007.

Nick Leyva, who was named the third base coach when Gaston arrived, will replace Butterfield as bench coach.

Omar Malava, who has coached within the Jays system since 1990, has been named the new first base coach.

Anthopoulous had this to say about the coaching staff moves:

“With the layout that we have,”

“It’s really in every sense of the word, ‘What is the strongest staff for us?’ There’s no question — chemistry, relationships — that’s absolutely part of it. I think any time you build a team, whether it’s in an office or on the field, you look at how all these pieces are going to fit together. Who’s going to work well together? How’s the communication going to be? That’s certainly part of it.”

Gaston had this to say about his retirement and new consulting deal:

“It’s a good deal for me,”

“I just wanted to step back and take a look and see if I wanted to continue on managing, and I just thought, ‘Well, I think maybe I can probably help the organization as far as being an advisor also, as well as managing, too.’ It’s something that I want to do in my life — just step back and maybe do something different besides manage.”

Will wrist surgery help Vernon Wells turn around his career in 2010?

To go along with all of the staff changes the Jays have announced that centre fielder Vernon Wells is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair cartilage damage in his wrist, the same wrist Wells broke during a diving catch in Cleveland in May of 2008. The operation will be performed by Dr. Donald Sheridan in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Jays also announced that third baseman Edwin Encarnacion completed surgery on Friday to repair damage to his left wrist.

Finally, the Jays made a minor move claiming left handed reliever Sean Henn on waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.

The 28 year old Henn split his 2009 season between the Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles. Henn had a record of 0-3 with a 7.53 ERA in 26 total appearances.
After signing a Minor League deal with the Twins, Henn began the year at Triple-A Rochester, where he was 1-1 with a 2.33 ERA in 28 games.
In 60 career appearances in the big leagues, five of which were starts, Henn is 2-9 with a 7.56 ERA.