TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays are in need of a new manager after trading John Farrell back to Boston for second baseman Mike Aviles, ending a year of clandestine work by the Red Sox to repatriate their former pitching coach.
Toronto announced the move on Sunday afternoon, sending RHP David Carpenter to Boston as well.
“I’m extremely excited to be returning to the Red Sox and to Boston,” Farrell said in a Red Sox press release. “I love this organization. It’s a great franchise in a special city and region, with great fans, and we want nothing more than to reward their faith in us.” The swap comes after general manager Alex Anthopoulos repeatedly insisted Farrell would be back to finish out the final season of his three-year contract in 2013, and pointed out that he has more important matters to deal with than another manager search.
Suddenly, that’s a top priority, although the return of Aviles could plug one of the team’s holes as a potential replacement for departing second baseman Kelly Johnson.
There are suggestions that first base coach Torey Lovullo, third base coach Brian Butterfield and extra coach Luis Rivera may now follow Farrell to Boston. Whether they do or not, the move throws the stability Anthopoulos sought into major flux, as it’s reasonable to think the new manager will be given some input on the makeup of his staff.
As for who replaces Farrell, the immediate starting point probably begins with the three finalists he beat out for the job two years ago: Cleveland Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr., Baltimore Orioles bench coach DeMarlo Hale, and Butterfield, although a promotion from within appears unlikely.
That trio emerged from a field of 18 initial interviews conducted by Anthopoulos, drawn from a preliminary list that scoured every system in the majors for candidates. That work will come in handy now, with the Blue Jays needing to wrap things up before off-season business kicks off after the World Series.
Still, this wasn’t a change the Blue Jays went looking for and that a deal with the Red Sox happened at all signals a significant about-face by the club. Just last fall, Anthopoulos and team president Paul Beeston changed club policy to prevent contracted employees from making lateral moves, and as recently as before the season finale the GM declared, “John is our manager.”
Making this move marks the first time he’s contradicted previous public comments on a matter of such importance.
Perhaps it’s for the best. While reports of a disconnect between Anthopoulos and Farrell were greatly exaggerated — sources suggest they had the same frictions typical of any manager and GM – they did apparently have some philosophical differences.
Farrell was 81-81 in his first season on the job but the Blue Jays plummeted to a 73-89 mark under him during an injury-plagued 2012.
Omar Vizquel criticized him and the coaching staff for being too lenient last month and other players suggested the team needed more veteran leadership in the clubhouse, but several Blue Jays suggested privately that while things could be tightened, they were for the most part satisfied with Farrell’s work, and were willing to grant him some leeway for growing pains.
Talks between the clubs picked up this week, as the Red Sox wrapped up a series of interviews with other managerial candidates, including Hale, Tim Wallach, Brad Ausmus and Tony Pena.
#bluejays AA says he did not talk to Farrell about an extension at any point this year. — Mike Cormack (@MikeCormack) October 21, 2012
#bluejays AA says he did not talk to Farrell about an extension at any point this year.
— Mike Cormack (@MikeCormack) October 21, 2012
AA says John Farrell told him week after season if opportunity to manage in Boston came up, he wanted to pursue it. Was a dream job for him — Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) October 21, 2012
AA says John Farrell told him week after season if opportunity to manage in Boston came up, he wanted to pursue it. Was a dream job for him
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) October 21, 2012
#bluejays AA says #redsox owner John Henry first reached out to Beeston 8-10 days ago. — Mike Cormack (@MikeCormack) October 21, 2012
#bluejays AA says #redsox owner John Henry first reached out to Beeston 8-10 days ago.
#blujays anthopoulos says he is disappointed by “gamesmanship” and false reports. Says Farrell did not want to release Vizquel in July. — Mike Cormack (@MikeCormack) October 21, 2012
#blujays anthopoulos says he is disappointed by “gamesmanship” and false reports. Says Farrell did not want to release Vizquel in July.
AA says deal was not done last night, as was reported. AA: “we weren’t pleased with way it came out.” He apologizes to media & fans. — Mike Cormack (@MikeCormack) October 21, 2012
AA says deal was not done last night, as was reported. AA: “we weren’t pleased with way it came out.” He apologizes to media & fans.
AA: Farrell gave everything he had. Worked hard. Really unique set of events led to departure. — Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) October 21, 2012
AA: Farrell gave everything he had. Worked hard. Really unique set of events led to departure.
#bluejays AA says search for new manager will be “significantly faster” than last time. — Mike Cormack (@MikeCormack) October 21, 2012
#bluejays AA says search for new manager will be “significantly faster” than last time.
AA says he’d like to speak w candidates he didn’t intvw last time b/c no permission (Tim Wallach likely) or were unavailable (Manny Acta?) — Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) October 21, 2012
AA says he’d like to speak w candidates he didn’t intvw last time b/c no permission (Tim Wallach likely) or were unavailable (Manny Acta?)
AA says he told #bluejays coaching staff they are free to talk to whomever they like while they search for new manager. — Mike Cormack (@MikeCormack) October 21, 2012
AA says he told #bluejays coaching staff they are free to talk to whomever they like while they search for new manager.
