Rays coach Charlie Montoyo interviewing for Blue Jays job

Rays bench coach Charlie Montoyo has emerged as a candidate for the Blue Jays managerial job and is in Toronto today for an interview.

Montoyo is competing with, among others, Rays colleague Rocco Baldelli, who last week was reported to be among a group of 4-5 finalists.

That group was said to also include Astros bench coach Joe Espada, Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde and David Bell, who was hired Sunday as the new Reds manager.

But the Jays apparently will consider additional candidates, as there also was a report they interviewed Cardinals minor-league manager Stubby Clapp, a native of Ontario.

Montoyo, 53, spent 18 years managing quite successfully in the Rays minor-league system before joining the major-league staff in 2015 as third-base coach. He shifted to the bench coach role this season, working closely with manager Kevin Cash on all in-game decisions.

Baldelli, 37, is also a candidate for the open manager jobs with the Rangers and Twins. He has been a hot topic this off-season, also interviewing with the Reds and Angels (who hired Brad Ausmus.)

Also, Rays senior VP Chaim Bloom is having a second interview as one of three reported finalists for the Mets GM job.