John Farrell Named Manager of the Boston Red Sox

By Trevor Uren
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Updated: October 22, 2012

The Boston Red Sox announced that they have acquired Manager John Farrell from the Toronto Blue Jays and agreed to a three-year contract that will run through 2015. As compensation to the Blue Jays, to whom Farrell was under contract through 2013, the Red Sox sent shortstop Mike Aviles and received in return right-handed pitcher David Carpenter. It is the second time the Red Sox have pursued Farrell for their managerial job. This time landing him.

Farrell, 50, was the Red Sox’ pitching coach from 2007-10, a period in which the staff held opponents to an American League-low .254 batting average and led the league in strikeouts (4,771). Farrell is the seventh manager in major league history acquired by one club while under contract to another.

“I’m extremely excited to be returning to the Red Sox and to Boston,” said Farrell. “I love this organization. It’s a great franchise in a special city and region, with great fans, and we want nothing more than to reward their faith in us.”

“We are thrilled to name John Farrell as our new manager,” said Executive Vice-President/General Manager Ben Cherington, who made the announcement. “John has been a major league pitcher, front office executive, coach, and manager. His broad set of experiences, and exceptional leadership skills, make him the ideal person to lead our team. I have known him in various capacities throughout my career, and I hold him in the highest regard as a baseball man and as a person.”

Under Farrell, the Blue Jays finished 81-81 (.500) in 2011 and 73-89 (.451) in 2012. Prior to joining the Red Sox in 2007, Farrell spent five years as Director of Player Development for the Cleveland Indians (November, 2001-November, 2006). The Indians earned “Organization of the Year” honors in 2003 and 2004 from USA Today’s Sports Weekly and were named by Baseball America as the top farm system in 2003.

“We met some outstanding managerial candidates in this process,” said Red Sox President/CEO Larry Lucchino. The Red Sox also interviewed San Diego Padres special assistant Brad Ausmus, NY Yankees bench coach and former Red Sox catcher Tony Pena, LA Dodgers third base coach Tim Wallach and Baltimore Orioles third base coach DeMarlo Hale. “John Farrell brings a unique blend of managerial experience, leadership and presence, pitching expertise, front office experience, and an established track record with many members of our uniformed staff and members of our front office. He will hit the ground running.”

When Farrell was Boston’s pitching coach, right-hander Clay Buchholz and southpaw Jon Lester were All-Stars. In his first year with the Red Sox, the club won the 2007 World Series. They reached the postseason each of his first three seasons in Boston.

Compensation to acquire a manager from another club has been required four times previously, and 52 years ago, two managers were traded for each other. In September, 2011, Miami acquired Ozzie Guillen and right-hander Ricardo Andres from the White Sox and sent right-hander Jhan Marinez and infielder Ozzie Martinez. In October, 2002, Tampa Bay acquired Lou Piniella and infielder Antonio Perez from Seattle and sent outfielder Randy Winn. In November, 1976, Pittsburgh acquired Chuck Tanner and cash from Oakland and sent catcher Manny Sanguillen. In November, 1967, the Mets acquired Gil Hodges from Washington and sent right-hander Bill Denehy and cash. During the 1960 season, managers Joe Gordon and Jimmy Dykes were swapped by Cleveland and Detroit, respectively.

In Farrell’s first year as the Red Sox’ pitching coach, the staff led the American League with a 3.87 ERA. Red Sox pitchers also led the AL in strikeouts with 1,185 in 2008 and 1,207 in 2010. From 2007-10, hurlers posted the third-best ERA in the league, 4.11.

Boston fired manager Bobby Valentine after one year, going 69-93, four games behind Toronto and the teams worst record since 1965. The former NY Mets and Japanese League manager alienated so many players that the team was forced to bail out on the season. The Red Sox then traded three highly paid and under performing players, Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, and Josh Beckett to the LA Dodgers and freed up $250 million in future salaries for a chance at a fresh start in 2013.

All of Red Sox Nation is looking forward to Farrell’s return and a return to the top of the American League!

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Trevor Uren

Hello, I am Trevor Uren the founder of ProSportsExtra. I am 15 years old, have a big passion with sports. I currently play basketball and football for the high school I attend, L'Anse. I am a huge Detroit fan. A fan of just about anything with Detroit sports. Also I hope to someday attend Bradley University if I am to attend college.