It took two years and a miserable season, but the Red Sox finally acquired John Farrell to succeed Bobby Valentine as manager of the team that went 69-93 this past season. After Valentine was fired it was said that Farrell was on top of the list of managers to take over, the team interviewed Yankees bench coach Tony Pena, Orioles third-base coach DeMarlo Hale, Padres special assistant Brad Ausmus and Dodgers third-base coach Tim Wallach.
On Friday it was reported that the Blue Jays and Red Sox were in negotiations to work on a deal that would allow Farrell to leave and come over to Boston where he was a pitching coach for the Sox from 2007-2010, the player who was part of the compensation package was shortstop Mike Aviles who will go to Toronto now. It’s hard to say if Boston is back in contention yet, but the betting odds help clear that up. The Red Sox tried to get Farrell last year to succeed Terry Francona, but the Blue Jays asking price included both Clay Buchholz and Daniel Bard two pitchers the Red Sox didn’t want to give up.
John Farrell leaves the Blue Jays with a 154-170 record he had one year remaining on his contract with the Blue Jays but it was also said the he and the Red Sox have agreed to a multi-year deal. The announcement is said to be made later on today, one player who is already happy with the move is Jon Lester who tweeted: