Sox management/ownership thinking of hiring John Farrell

[SPTO]

The circus in Boston is still in operation as the latest reports out of the Boston Globe (a newspaper one can trust since they have deep connections with the Sawx) is reporting that team ownership/management are throwing John Farrell's name out there to replace Francona.

"sigh"

I don't think Farrell would want to go into a possibly toxic atmosphere but then again he was the Golden Boy and heir presumptive before he departed for Toronto. If this happens I hope Alex Anthopoulis throws away his principles and lobbies hard for Boston to give compensation. Then again, no one in Toronto knows if there's an opt out clause in Farrell's contract for the Boston job opening up.

I guess we'll see how this goes but i'd be really disappointed if Farrell leaves as he's painted a picture of an honest and principled guy who wants to make it work here in Toronto. On the flip side if this happens i'm almost positive Brian Butterfield becomes the Jays new skipper. He's a guy who I really respect and like and so do the players.

[rsox]

Re: Sox management/ownership thinking of hiring John Farrell

I would not expect to see Farrell leave Toronto. I'm not sure who all the Sox are going to target (Bobby Valentine?, probably. Mike Stanley is another possibility) but i can't see Farrell leaving a team with some good young pitching for a team thats in utter dissaray.

[DrJones]

Re: Sox management/ownership thinking of hiring John Farrell

Based on Boston negotiated with the Cubs for Epstein, the Jays should say, "Sure. Would you like to send us Ellsbury or Pedroia as compensation? Your pick."

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: Sox management/ownership thinking of hiring John Farrell

I think on-field strategy makes up at most %50 of the manager's job but I wasn't too impressed with Farrell last season. For some reason he let McCoy, Patterson, and Thames bat at the top/near the top of the order. He also made a mistake during Spring Training when he said there could be 4 guys closing games based on various factors.

[SPTO]

Re: Sox management/ownership thinking of hiring John Farrell

I think on-field strategy makes up at most %50 of the manager's job but I wasn't too impressed with Farrell last season. For some reason he let McCoy, Patterson, and Thames bat at the top/near the top of the order. He also made a mistake during Spring Training when he said there could be 4 guys closing games based on various factors.

Some of that was due to injuries to other guys and Thames is pretty much cemented as the #2 guy in the lineup depending on what happens in the offseason.

The closer stuff wasn't entirely Farrell's fault. That whole thing was from the GM down.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: Sox management/ownership thinking of hiring John Farrell

Some of that was due to injuries to other guys and Thames is pretty much cemented as the #2 guy in the lineup depending on what happens in the offseason.

The closer stuff wasn't entirely Farrell's fault. That whole thing was from the GM down.

Unless the Jays make major moves, I would like to see Lawrie bat number 2 behind Escobar. He gets on base more than Thames and he can steal bases.

I agree the closer situation was more the GM's fault but even he admitted after the season he should have defined the roles of the bullpen guys before the season.