After batting .270 in 63 games in an Indians uniform, Edwards was traded to the Kansas City Athletics for Dick Howser during the 1963 season.

With highly regarded Cuban catcher Joe Azcue seeing most of the playing time for the Indians, and eight-time All-Star and former World Series champion Del Crandall providing senior leadership, there was no room for Edwards on the major league roster in 1966.

Following a two-year stint in West Haven (1973–74), Edwards was hired by the Chicago Cubs, and he managed their AA affiliate in Midland, Texas, in 1975, and their AAA club in Wichita in 1976.

From there he managed the Montreal Expos’ AA Quebec Metros (1977) and AAA Denver Bears (1978), before moving over to the Baltimore Orioles, where he was assigned to the International League's Rochester Red Wings.

In 1982, Edwards was presented with the opportunity to return to his home state, and to the major league club that gave him his first shot in professional baseball.

The Cleveland Indians assigned him to the AAA International League Charleston Charlies, located in the West Virginia capital not far from his hometown of Red Jacket.

His allegiance to the Indians was finally rewarded in 1987, when he was hired to replace Pat Corrales as the manager of the big league club in midseason.