Red Sox GM Ben Cherington met with managerial candidate Bobby Valentine today. Here’s the latest on Boston’s search for a new manager:
- The Red Sox ruled out Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. as a managerial candidate, according to multiple reporters, including Rob Bradford of WEEI.com (on Twitter).
- The Red Sox will bring Tigers third base coach Gene Lamont in for another interview, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com (Twitter link). Blue Jays first base coach Torey Lovullo is still under consideration, but the Red Sox haven't scheduled a second interview for him yet.
- Valentine “looks like the sudden favorite” for the position, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com.
- Cherington must have the most say in the decision, Bradford writes at WEEI.com. The ownership group and president and CEO Larry Lucchino will have some say in the decision, but Bradford suggests the Red Sox should give Cherington ample space to make his own call.
- Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com says the Red Sox should not name a new manager until they are completely sure the Blue Jays won’t part with manager John Farrell. The Blue Jays announced less than a month ago that they “will not grant permission for lateral moves,” so there doesn’t appear to be any chance Farrell returns to Boston this offseason.
I think it is pretty clear that the Jays aren’t giving up Farrell at this point. I’m a Sox fan but I think it’s pretty presumptuous to assume that Farrell should or will jump the second the Sox express an interest in him.
at the same time though his son is in a Boston-area hospital undergoing treatment for (OK I honestly forget what it is). He might want to manage here because he’d like to be close to his son 81 days+ out of the year. That and I read somewhere (again, I forget where) that the prevailing opinion is that if Farrell knew the job in Boston would be open now he’d of stayed so he could be Francona’s successor.
It is a case of not understanding English. Which part of “NO, the Blue Jays will NOT grant Boston permission to speak to Farrell” does Boston management and media not understand. If they do, that constitutes tampering and MLB frowns a lot on that.
Why not ask Farrell personally which job he would prefer? AA knows in a heart beat the answer he would get and why the shiny and new “no lateral moves” policy came about, so stop with this not an ogre nonsense please.
I think if Farrell wanted that badly to leave and for that reason, the Jays would have granted the Red Sox permission to speak with him. They’re not ogres. And he would have stayed, but who would have thought the Sox would have been dumb enough to get rid of Francona at the end of the season? Farrell’s staying put, and the Boston media should accept it. It’s not their decision to make, and again, it’s just presumptuous to assume that Farrell’s just cooling his heels with the Jays until the Sox come calling. Toronto may not be Boston, but it’s not as though he’s managing in the minor leagues, either. Toronto’s a big league club that looks poised to contend sooner rather than later. The Sox should respect that, and so should the Boston media.
well policies change, all I’m saying. look it’s not happening I get that (not all tht crazy about Farrell: he got his management style directly from Terry Francona during his tenure as the Red Sox pitching coach. Francona basically groomed him to be a manager. Yes I do think that if Farrell knew after the 2010 season Francona had a year left before he’d be gone, he’d of stayed and replaced him. Yes, that didn’t happen. But I do think that given the choice–which he doesn’t have so it’s all a moot point, but that doesn’t mean people (not you) need to scream at me and call me a moron–he’d take the Boston job. that’s my final word on the whole subject, because it’s entirely irrelevant. I wish John Farrell the best of luck and hope he goes 144-18; the 18 losses being against the Red Sox.
If Farrell needs to be with his son, the Jays will let him go anytime he wants. I would rather give a manager all the leave he wants and not fret about it rather than let him go to a division rival that hurts you and makes them better.
The Jays made it clear the Sox are not allowed to talk to Farrell. What part of f**k off do they not understand?
It looks like youre the one not understanding things. The Red Sox aren’t considering Farrell. They already asked and were denied. A sports writer does not = the Red Sox.
Exactly. Gordo just suggested the Red Sox should do it, and I offered a reason why Farrell would want it, but I got attacked.
well policies change, all I’m saying. look it’s not happening I get that (not all tht crazy about Farrell: he got his management style directly from Terry Francona during his tenure as the Red Sox pitching coach. Francona basically groomed him to be a manager. Yes I do think that if Farrell knew after the 2010 season Francona had a year left before he’d be gone, he’d of stayed and replaced him. Yes, that didn’t happen. But I do think that given the choice–which he doesn’t have so it’s all a moot point, but that doesn’t mean people (not you) need to scream at me and call me a moron–he’d take the Boston job. that’s my final word on the whole subject, because it’s entirely irrelevant. I wish John Farrell the best of luck and hope he goes 144-18; the 18 losses being against the Red Sox.
Valentine should get the job
I think this is the consensus of every fan of the 29 teams not named Boston Red Sox.
Why do people not like Valentine? Just wondering…
they’ve heard him talk
spot on. i just don’t like the guy.
Lol can he be that bad? I thought he was rather successful with the Mets but then again I was about 10 years old at that point.
He managed the Mets to last place before he was finally fired, he publicly sniped players, he clashed with ownership, and he loves being the center of attention (complete opposite of Francona who was more than happy to give all the credit to the players).
” (complete opposite of Francona who was more than happy to give all the credit to the players)”
Also sit back while those same players and team fell apart.
Ya, Farrel isnt leaving toronto.
oh, I agree. but the author merely offered his opinion: that Boston should wait until they get a final unequivocal answer. they said that in the media but it could be different behind the scenes. It’s not, but the guy thinks they should make sure.
they made a press release that club employees would no longer be allowed to interview for lateral moves..how much more unequivocal do you need?
well policies change, all I’m saying. look it’s not happening I get that (not all tht crazy about Farrell: he got his management style directly from Terry Francona during his tenure as the Red Sox pitching coach. Francona basically groomed him to be a manager. Yes I do think that if Farrell knew after the 2010 season Francona had a year left before he’d be gone, he’d of stayed and replaced him. Yes, that didn’t happen. But I do think that given the choice–which he doesn’t have so it’s all a moot point, but that doesn’t mean people (not you) need to scream at me and call me a moron–he’d take the Boston job. that’s my final word on the whole subject, because it’s entirely irrelevant. I wish John Farrell the best of luck and hope he goes 144-18; the 18 losses being against the Red Sox.
Valentine is clearly the best choice, but does Baby Ben like him or not? One thing is for sure, there’s some serious dysfunction in the Red Sox front office.
Sooo, I’m pretty tired of even reading this headline. Just let us know when someone actually gets the job. Or at least limit it to once every couple days.
I don’t understand people’s infatuation with Farrell. Good manager? Sure. But what on earth makes people think the Jays would give him up? Edes writes some incredibly random stuff sometimes.
When I first heard Valentine’s name floated, I kind of scoffed at the idea but to be really honest, the idea is starting to grow on me. Personally I’m really not worried about him in the clubhouse. I think he’s a good manager and in game strategist. I think he’ll handle the clubhouse well although I think this idea of him as a grade-A asskicker is really off-base as I don’t ever remember him being that way – but sure. I still think he’ll be better than Francona.
But man, him vs this media makes me nervous. Really nervous. The problem with the Boston media is they’ve got a sociopathic streak that New York and Philly don’t have. They’ll go after you personally and ride you out on a rail the minute they even get a hint that you’re not playing ball with them. All I can envision is Valentine twisting off the top of Michael Felger’s skull and using it as a port-a-john and then meltdown central.
”
All I can envision is Valentine twisting off the top of Michael Felger’s skull and using it as a port-a-john and then meltdown central. ”
If I can get assurances that this is what will actually happen, I will throw my support behind hiring Valentine.
I just wonder what happens after that if the skull twisting is not part of the meltdown…
WOW! Guys just hire someone and be done with it.
Farrell just did an interview on TSN radio, said he was flattered by the attention, but had zero interest leaving, he sounded borderline giddy talking about the Jays off-season plans and what the future holds..so I believe him.
Choose Already!
They are covering every friggin inch of this ridiculous story. Next we will hear that “Red Rox GM Ben Cherington has chicken wings for lunch off 6th and Grand.”
At this point Boston just seems inept. The way the season fell apart. Then Francona gone. Theo next. While the rest of baseball is heading into the winter meetings with their leadership set, and plans ready for action, the Sox can’t even figure out what to do next.
Cherrington is starting to look like a puppet, he’s wondering what’s going on with this front office.
what’s the point in conducting second interviews with other candidates? Do you want Valentine for the manager job or not?
I think w/ his attitude I think he’ll do a good job tightening up that club house w/o being hated by the players….he walks in w/ respect….and a cool pair of glasses and fake stache…
This is a mess.
– Season was disaster.
– Francona gone.
– Theo gone.
– Papelbon gone.
– Ortiz likely to be gone.
– NO manager yet.
– Winter meeting around the corner.
Just get manager already because Farell isn’t going anywhere!
Who saw this coming after the great offseason they had last year? AGon and Crawford, people picking them for the WS. What happened to Boston?
The Red Sox are in denial. They can’t get over the fact that the Jays told them where to go… and it wasn’t Kokomo.
“The Red Sox are in denial. They can’t get over the fact that the Jays told them where to go… and it wasn’t Kokomo”
HAHAHA This sounds an awful lot like the A’s crying over the SFG refusing to give back territorial rights, once relinquished decades ago.
WHERE is the wimpy commissioner to settle this!! HAHAHA It is after all the same thing is it not? Boston allowed Farrell to go originally to Toronto and now they want ’em back, just like Oakland wants to go to San Jose and now the SFG refuses to agree on the territorial rights, negotiated away decades ago.. Only Selig ain’t interested in this squabble.
Best thing that you could do Boston: Hire Bill Bavasi. He will bring you nothing but W’s and quality players.
Sincerely,
Seattle
Jason Varitek should become the manager for the Boston Red Sox!!!