TORONTO — Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has received heavy criticism for how he handled a meeting with players Sunday morning to discuss the firing of manager Alex Cora .
Veterans Trevor Story and Garrett Whitlock were dissatisfied with Breslow’s explanation on why Cora and five other coaches were fired. Story was intent on getting a further explanation in the hours following the meeting.
Whitlock said before Sunday’s 1:37 p.m. first pitch in Baltimore , “Listen, they made it very clear that we get paid to play baseball and we just need to focus on playing baseball.”
Players were not given a chance to ask questions at the meeting, Whitlock said.
Breslow had already received criticism last year for a lack of communication with Rafael Devers about the slugger’s move from third base to DH. Communication questions resurfaced after the latest quotes from Story and Whitlock.
“I think the most important thing, just given the timing and how this all came together, was to get the group together and make sure that they heard from me and then give them a chance to spend some time with Trace (interim manager Chad Tracy),” Breslow said.
“And since then, I’m here on the trip, I’m making myself available,” Breslow added. “I’ve had conversations with a number of players. I’ll keep the content of those in private, but having as many conversations as it takes to be able to look forward and move forward and take advantage of the remainder of the season.”
Breslow traveled with the team from Baltimore to Toronto on Sunday evening and plans to be here the rest of the series.
“Trevor and I had a conversation,” Breslow said. “Trevor obviously is a very important part of this team. He’s also a leader on this team, and he’s incredibly well respected in the clubhouse and by the staff and by me. I’m grateful for the chance to have the conversation with him.”
Asked if he was disappointed that his communication skills continue to be criticized, Breslow said he encourages players to give him feedback.
“Rather than kind of think about whether that was a fair reaction or not, I try to think about, what is the best way to deliver information?” Breslow said. “What is the best way to communicate and make sure that every time there’s a decision to deliver information to share, I’m thinking about what is the best way to do it. And I encourage players to give me feedback about that. And so as I talk to guys, if they are comfortable sharing how information can better be delivered, I want to listen. I want to take that into consideration.”
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