Jays Hire Ex-Indian

Tim Johnson, a minor league manager and former Toronto shortstop, was given a two-year contract Monday to succeed Cito Gaston as manager of the Blue Jays.

“The key here is that he’s going to connect and communicate with his players,” said Toronto general manager Gord Ash, who also had former Orioles manager Davey Johnson, broadcaster Buck Martinez and former Padres manager Larry Bowa among his finalists.

Tim Johnson, 48, managed the Iowa Cubs to a first-place finish in the West Division of the Triple-A American Association last season, losing to Buffalo in the league championship. He has spent the last 17 years as a scout, minor league manager and major league coach.

Johnson, who played shortstop with Toronto in 1978 and 1979, was bench coach at Montreal under Felipe Alou in 1993-94 and bench coach at Boston in 1995-96 under Kevin Kennedy.

“Felipe gave me a lot of leeway with the players,” Johnson said. “And I think that helped me to become a manager. I like using all my players. Felipe Alou uses 25 guys. I’m going to do that, too.”

Johnson also played shortstop for the Spokane Indians in 1971, the last year the team was associated with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Pacific Coast League.

Olerud resigns with Mets

One season does not a renaissance make. So with his value still down on the free-agent market, John Olerud agreed to return to the New York Mets for an $8 million, two-year contract.

Olerud hit .294 with 34 doubles, 22 homers and a team-high 102 RBIs for the Mets last season. Still, there was no clamor for him as a free agent. Only the Mets and Seattle Mariners made offers, and the Mariners offered less than New York.

“I think you’ve got to look at it realistically,” Olerud said. “The past four years I’ve had some tough years. I think the pay cut is directly related to those years.”

While the Mets initially offered a three-year deal, Olerud proposed two, thinking he’d like to be eligible for free agency again after the ‘99 season.

Murray hired as coach

The Baltimore Orioles will bring uniform No. 33 out of retirement for a second time next season after signing Eddie Murray as a coach.

Murray has agreed to a two-year deal to serve as a coach under new manager Ray Miller. Miller has not decided how he will use Murray, but said that Murray most likely will be a bench coach.

Clearing the bases

Baltimore Orioles majority owner Peter Angelos is optimistic that outfielder Brady Anderson will remain with the team despite a four-year, $32 million offer from the New York Yankees…. Los Angeles Dodgers backup catcher Tom Prince agreed to a $350,000, one-year contract with the team…. Outfielder Dave Clark agreed to a $1.4 million, two-year contract with the Houston Astros…. The Detroit Tigers traded minor-league outfielder Jimmy Hurst to the Boston Red Sox for an undisclosed sum of cash…. Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Beech will undergo surgery Dec. 4 to repair a broken bone in his right wrist…. The Orioles resigned catcher Lenny Webster to a one-year contract for $740,000.