The Red Sox have picked up their 2018 club option on manager John Farrell’s contract, president of baseball ops Dave Dombrowski told reporters (including WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford). 2017 was the last guaranteed year of Farrell’s contract, so he avoids any lame-duck status due to the Sox making the early decision to exercise the option year.
Farrell’s four years as Boston’s manager have been something of a roller-coaster, as the club won the World Series in his first season but then stumbled to last-place finishes in the AL East in both 2014 and 2015. That latter season was particularly trying for Farrell both on and off the field, as he took a leave of absence from August to the end of the year in order to get treatment for lymphoma (which thankfully went into remission last fall). Last season, Farrell led the Sox to the AL East title and, despite a rather ignominious sweep at the hands of the Indians in the ALDS, Boston certainly looks well-positioned to contend in 2017 and into the future.
Farrell has a 339-309 record as Boston’s skipper, and a 493-479 career record as a manager, counting his two seasons as the Blue Jays’ manager in 2011-12.
SMH
They should have moved Farrell into the front office and named Lovello manager.
Indeed
Too late. Lol. Trader Dave will fire him before 2018 ASG.
Lol
People criticizing Farrell have their heads far up their backsides. He just won the AL East and his players showed up to play every day. Lovullo has been overhyped for a long time now. You don’t replace a proven winner with a guy who oversaw just a month and a half of good baseball from a last place team out of the playoff picture with nothing to lose. I’m glad these arm-chair “experts” aren’t in any decision-making positions. Probably the same fools who voted for Trump just to “shake things up”.
I was with you,until you wanted to drag politics onto a baseball site. You lose the day.
A proven who has finished 4 or worse in 66% of his managerial career
What this guy said. Farrell has made a few questionable decisions but so does every manager
They’re just screwing with us at this point correct?!
He sucks!! Would rather protect his image rather than back his players. They should’ve asked the team for their input. If so, he’d be gone!!
Every manager makes mistakes. Im a sox fan and i personally dont like Farrell but come on we get it that wright decision was a very bad one but hes still not an awful coach
The Sox really need to bring Zeigler back. He was stellar and is more than capable in an emergency closer situation like when Kimbrel and Koji were out.
I agree but rumor is they want a strikeout guy.
Farrell makes too many mistakes. I disagree with the comment above that his players “show up” everyday, that’s often more a circumstance of veteran leadership (2013). Farrell has a baseball mind, but a mind better suited to the front office. After watching Farrell manage in Toronto, now Boston, I would rank Farrell’s game management as notably below average. The on-field game moves too fast for JF – mistakes.
Is there a single fan that wants this guy around?
So many saying oust him…. who’s to replace him then? Someone name an available upgrade.