Matt Williams is reportedly in the mix to be the next manager of the Toronto Blue Jays.
According to Fox Sports Arizona's Jack McGruder, both the Jays and the Colorado Rockies have expressed interest in the Diamondbacks' third-base coach.
The Jays have received permission to interview Williams to be the club's new skipper, replacing John Farrell.
Farrell - who was granted his release and has since signed on to manage the Boston Red Sox – has managed the Jays for the past two seasons, amassing a 154-170 record.
Williams is believed to have spoken to Rockies management last week, a move that could lead to a formal interview according to McGruder's report. He is currently managing in the Arizona Fall League.
"You jump at the opportunity. You get as much experience as you can," Williams told Fox Sports. "It (managing) is what I want to do. Who knows if it will ever happen, but if you are never prepared. . . . It's like taking B.P. or taking extra grounders. There may be an opportunity one day. There are not many of them. You want to be prepared if it does happen."
A long-time San Francisco Giant, Williams put up solid career numbers in 17 MLB seasons. Including stints in San Francisco, Arizona and Cleveland, Williams amassed 378 home runs, 1218 runs batted-in and a .268 career batting average.
He was a five-time All-Star, a four-time Gold Glove winner, a four-time Silver Slugger and a member of the 2001 World Series Champion Diamondbacks team.
