John Farrell has a job and the Red Sox have a manager, but rumors about Boston’s interest in Farrell persist as the Blue Jays prepare for a series at Fenway Park. MLB sources indicated to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that Farrell will be the top choice to replace Bobby Valentine in 2013. Furthermore, people who know Farrell say he’d welcome the opportunity to return to Boston, according to Cafardo. However, Farrell maintains that his focus remains in Toronto.
“My focus and my commitment has been and is here, unequivocally," he told reporters this week.
Farrell, who is under contract for 2013, was Boston’s pitching coach before being hired by the Blue Jays. The Red Sox attempted to acquire him from Toronto twice last year, according to Cafardo. Though the Blue Jays were willing to listen, the sides didn’t agree on compensation. The Red Sox eventually hired Valentine, who’s also under contract for 2013. However, there’s a widespread expectation that Valentine won’t return to Boston next year.
The Red Sox probably wouldn’t want to part with recently-acquired pitching prospect Rubby De La Rosa, but the Blue Jays would love to add someone like him to their organization, Cafardo writes.
