Boston Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski announced Wednesday that John Farrell will not return as manager for the 2018 season and the search for the new manager will begin immediately.
Farrell, 55, led the Boston Red Sox to their ninth American League East title with a 93-69 (.574) record, good for fifth in the majors.
In his five years with the team, he accumulated a 432-378 (.533) record and won the division with Boston three times (2013, 2016, 2017).
According to sources familiar with the situation, Dombrowski and Farrell’s relationship had grown tenuous, with many believing that Farrell would have had to win in the playoffs to save his job.
With Farrell now out, chalk another name up as a potential replacement for Terry Collins.
Original post – Oct. 11, 9 a.m.
John Farrell‘s ejection in the second inning of Monday’s loss to the Astros in Game Four of the ALDS might have been his last act as Red Sox manager.
The Red Sox have won two consecutive AL East titles, but failed to make it past the ALDS in both 2016 and 2017. In fact, they haven’t made it past the ALDS since they won the World Series in 2013, Farrell’s first year with the team. Asked after the loss if he thinks he should remain with the team, this is what he had to say:
“Yes, I feel confident in that,” Farrell said. “I know that we have got opportunity to access where we are as a team. I can’t begin to talk about what the offseason plans are, and what changes may be realized, but there’s still good things that are going on here.”
It’s important to note that while he managed the Red Sox to those three AL East titles, the team also finished dead last in the AL East twice. The year immediately after winning the World Series, 2014, as well as 2015. Records aside, there have been many rumors of his weak hold on the clubhouse. He also endured criticism for not apologizing to Dennis Eckersley after lefty pitcher David Price berated the former starter-turned-closer during a tirade on the team plane.
In an effort to quell some of those rumors, a few of the Red Sox stars were asked about their manager following the ALDS loss.
“He’s done a great job,” right fielder Mookie Betts said. “I know no [Red Sox] manager has won back-to-back [division] titles, so it shows he’s done a great job in managing personalities and put us in a position to win. He listens to us and he talks with us. [It’s] one of those dynamics that he fits well.”
“There’s a lot of room for debate and would’ves and should’ves,” said Chris Sale. “He gave me every opportunity to succeed. I can say the same for everybody on this team.”
“He was there for us,” said Craig Kimbrel. “He watches us all year long. He knows each and every guy in here. He knows what we’re made of. For him to go out every night and put it together and try to put the best team on the field, I think he did a great job.”
The most important person he needs to approve of him is President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski who had this to say of Farrell.
“I think he has done a great job,” Dombrowski said. “He’s a tough guy. He’s a smart baseball man.”
Farrell’s job security might be a question mark for now, but if he does end up losing his job, he would surely find his way onto the Mets’ radar as they search for a new manager.
