Despite stating his “unequivocal” commitment to the Toronto Blue Jays, John Farrell continues to be linked to the Boston Red Sox.
On Wednesday, WEEI columnist Rob Bradford presented his case for why the Red Sox should pursue Farrell as their next manager this off-season.
With Terry Francona at the helm last season and Bobby Valentine this year, the Red Sox clubhouse continues to be in disarray. Bradford argues Bringing Farrell to Boston could help the Red Sox restore order as one of the most respected coaches on Francona’s staff and a stabilizing force in the clubhouse.
Farrell was the Red Sox pitching coach for four seasons beginning in 2007, before taking over the Blue Jays manager prior to the 2011 season.
“I miss John Farrell,” former Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett told reporters last week. “I like John Farrell as a person, and I missed him in several different ways.”
According to Bradford, Red Sox players developed a great deal of respect for Farrell during his time there. Farrell, 50, has established relationships with Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, Jon Lester – all key parts of the Red Sox’s future – which is something the Red Sox could be looking for after the team has struggled under Valentine.
“Farrell was “so overqualified for [the Red Sox’ pitching coach position] it was ridiculous,” Beckett told WEEI in spring training.
The Red Sox pitching staff was said to be central figures in the “chicken and beer fiasco” late last season and many throughout the baseball world correlated the lack of control in the Red Sox clubhouse to the absence of Farrell.
From the Blue Jays standpoint, it is unclear if the organization has discussed any plans to extend Farrell’s contract past 2013.
On Tuesday when asked whether he was concerned that rumours of the Red Sox interest in him might be a distraction this weekend with his team in Boston, Farrell made his remarks to date regarding his future.
“My focus is clearly here with the Blue Jays, I’m under contract obviously,” he told reporters. “I can understand that there can be a natural connection because I’ve worked there in the past, but my focus and my commitment has been and is here, unequivocally.”
When asked whether his contract with the Blue Jays expires after the 2013 season, he replied: “Yeah.”
But should Farrell prefer a return to Boston, the Blue Jays could re-open trade talks with the Red Sox. Bradford and others have reported Toronto asked for Bucholz as compensation for letting Farrell out of his contract.
In terms of precedent, the Chicago White Sox received two minor-leaguers in exchange for former manager Ozzzie Guillen last off-season, but the Blue Jays would demand a more lucrative package from a divisional rival.
Last season, the Red Sox had one of the top records in the American League entering September but the team had a monumental collapse in the final month and failed to make the post-season.
Following the season the Red Sox fired Francona. General manager Theo Epstein departed soon after to become the president of the Chicago Cubs.
