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There are indications that Farrell -- and not Dale Sveum or Valentine -- was the first choice of the Red Sox last October when the team chose not to retain Terry Francona.
Before the notion could pick up much steam, however, the Jays announced they would not allow employees under contract to make lateral moves to other organizations. Multiple baseball sources said the Jays would have been willing to let Farrell go to Boston but only in exchange for pitcher Clay Buchholz, a price the Red Sox found wildly prohibitive.
Now, 11 months later, things are back where they began. Once again, the Red Sox are expected to be in search of a new manager. Once again, Farrell's name will be linked to the opening.
In some sense, not much has changed. As he was a year ago, Farrell remains under contract to the Jays, signed through the end of 2013. Their policy about not allowing personnel under contract to pursue similar jobs in other organizations is still in effect.
But that could change in a hurry. If John Henry or Larry Lucchino call Jays CEO Paul Beeston and re-state their interest in Farrell, Beeston would just about be forced to go to Farrell and see if his manager was committed to remaining with the Blue Jays -- or interested in listening to the Red Sox.
CSNNE: Farrell returns to town
Let's speculate about a manager that won't be here until 2014 if he wants the job! Just what this team needs after a 1-8 road trip! Please continue to fawn over the former pitching coach who left to our Canadian rival.
Toronto has already put the barriers around Farrell and despite John Henry kicking and screaming about it, there's not much he can do unless they want to give up Clay Buchholz, which would be the worst trade in the history of baseball. Part of the allure of Farrell is that he knows the Red Sox pitching staff like the back of his hand... and that includes Buchholz! Plus the whole losing a key pitcher for a manager and the lack of depth to fill that hole in the rotation... that's a pretty important piece too.
Farrell hasn't had any luck north of the border himself either. He's 9-27 in his past 36 games and the team is worse than the Red Sox. Yes they lost Jose Bautista for the year but that pitching has been worse than the Red Sox all year which you would think he would've fixed by now.
Maybe a change of scenery would be good for Farrell but that's not happening for another season. He's getting tired of the speculation but it's only going to increase now that the Red Sox are in rebuilding mode. I just wished that it could be put on hold until next year, where the Sox could actually get him.
Rest of the Links: Globe:Strain showing in Valentine | Valentine to Ordway: I'd punch you | Herald: Sox end trip with another fall | Valentine in misery | Lost year for Kalish | CSNNE: Sox end road trip with 2-1 loss to Seattle | Kalish has had a tough year | WEEI: Bobby V erupts | Bobby's dream job is more of a nightmare
