The status of John Farrell with the Red Sox has been up for debate in recent weeks, but Sean McAdam of Comcast Sportsnet New England reports that the Farrell will return to the Red Sox as manager in 2016, so long as his health permits.
As McAdam writes, Farrell is in undergoing his final wave of chemotherapy this week after being diagnosed with lymphoma in August. He’ll undergo tests at the end of October to see if the cancer has been removed from his body, and if so, he’ll be given a clean bill of health, thereby allowing him to return to the Sox. At that point, Boston would make an official announcement on Farrell, who is currently signed through the 2017 season. A pair of sources tells McAdam that Farrell has already been informed of the decision, while another indicated that president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski informed the staff that Farrell’s job would be waiting for him back in mid-August.
Torey Lovullo has drawn considerable praise for his work with the Red Sox while filling in for Farrell on an interim basis, as the team is a dozen games over .500 under his watch. As McAdam points out, Lovullo figures to draw considerable interest from teams searching for a new manager this offseason, which could put Dombrowski in an odd position. Teams figure to begin contacting the Sox about Lovullo shortly after the season ends, but Farrell’s timeline means that it won’t be until month’s end that the Sox have a definitive answer as to whether or not he’ll return. Then again, there may still be managerial vacancies late in the month, which would afford Lovullo the opportunity to interview for some open positions.
Last offseason, he interviewed for the managerial openings with the Twins, Astros and Rangers and was one of two finalists for the Twins’ position, though he lost out to current manager Paul Molitor.
Given the Red Sox success the past few weeks and the improving play of their young players, I would expect Lovullo would draw serious interest this winter. And I would also expect Dombrowski to let him interview elsewhere.
It’s a touchy subject, due to the cancer, but the bottom line is the Red Sox are winning because Lovullo has shown faith in the youngsters like Bradley, Owens, Shaw, Castillo, etc. whereas Farrell stood by Victorino, Napoli and Pablo. When Farrell comes back, he will resort to his old ways and it’ll be another tough go for Boston.
It is a touchy subject. Had JF not taken ill he would probably have been fired. It would be tough to do so if he comes back healthy. Agreed it is Lovullo driving the turnaround. As soon as he took over starting pitchers were going 7 innings or close to instead of the standard 5 plus the young’uns felt safe enough to play their game. Bogaerts would have had his breakout last year if they did not move him for Drew for some still unknown reason.
Lovullo has played younger players because all of the older players were traded. It’s not like Farrell had a choice. You can’t sit 75 million dollars worth of salary on the bench.
Farrell needs to go. Hoping he is happy and healthy for years, but his track record as a manager is not good. Yes, 2013, I know, but he remains below average. Farrell needs to go. Farrell strikes me as a great front office type, he even has a track record of success in such a role with Cleveland, but he would not be my choice for manager moving forward.
This situation is almost the exact same as the Indianapolis Colts’ head coach position a couple years back. Their head coach underwent chemo and the replacement performed highly and was hired elsewhere. Such a tough situation to be in.
This is a touchy situation. While I do agree the Red Sox seemed to have taken off since Farrell has gone down how much of that also has to do with Headcase Hanley and Sandoval being down? I said it in the off season last year that signing them 2 was not going to be the answer to there struggles. I honestly think the 2 of them give off bad vibes in the club house as the team really seams to be happy right now. Could this be cause they are playing better ball? Sure it can and may not have anything to do with the other 2 players but it makes you think. I say if it is working now dont change. Let Farrell come back in a different capacity and keep the manager you have now. I am a Yankee fan so I hate to say this but the truth is the truth. They have a good team and they are just a ACE away from being a contender next year if they can duplicate what they have done the last 2 months. That being said I hope the Yankee’s can kick there butt tonight LOL
They need to get a bullpen too. An ace would be really nice, but that bullpen has been terrible the whole season.
I hear Washington may want to rid themselves of Papelbon. BoSox reunion?
I think Lovullo is more attuned to handling the younger players and I would prefer to see him remain as manager of the Red Sox. I think the club could find a promotion to the front office for Farrell that would allow him to have a fitting position that would do away with all the travel and uncertain hours that would be better for his continued health.