Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
The odds of John Farrell being the next Red Sox [team stats] manager appear to be improving.
Though not privy to details of the ongoing negotiations between the Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, one industry source with a link to the Jays expressed a gut feeling yesterday that Farrell will be “gone” from Toronto, with the teams ultimately agreeing on compensation to free the manager from the final year of his contract.
But Farrell’s future still hinges on how much the Red Sox are willing to give up for him. And a major league executive from a National League team reiterated this week that Jays president Paul Beeston will let Farrell go only if Toronto receives at least one “decent player” in return, suggesting the player must be an immediate contributor to the 25-man roster because of the “repercussions” involved in allowing a manager to flee to a division rival.
Farrell, 50, has steered the Jays to only a 154-170 record and back-to-back fourth-place finishes. But the Red Sox are smitten with him based on his successful four-year run as pitching coach under Terry Francona and solid relationships with both general manager Ben Cherington and assistant GM Mike Hazen.
Moreover, there is an overwhelming consensus within the organization that Farrell is the right man at the right time to lead the Red Sox out of the 93-loss Bobby V era.
Herald - Signs point to John Farrell
I spent a few minutes this morning looking at some of Toronto's news sites, seeing if I could get a different perspective on this thing. I couldn't. Toronto doesn't seem to care, whatsoever, about John Farrell. That's not a great sign. The only newsworthy bit I could find had to do with Farrell being unhappy with some of the moves Toronto made last season. I think that's standard across the league.
The compensation picture is getting more clear, and it's not good news. Boston is going to have to part with an "immediate contributor". And, if you didn't pay much attention to the 2012 season, immediate contributors aren't exactly something we in excess.
But the Sox front office is convinced that he's the man for the job, so he will be theirs. Regardless as to how foolish of a move it is. Who knows. Maybe Farrell is the right fit. Maybe he will whip the team back into shape, and we'll all soon forget about whatever player we send off to Toronto.
On Page 2, Magadan is gone.
The Texas Rangers hired Dave Magadan as their hitting coach Friday.
Magadan, the hitting coach for the Boston Red Sox since 2006, had an option remaining on his contract, but was given permission to speak with other clubs.
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said he only called Magadan and that if the 50-year-old hadn't taken the job, the club would have stayed with Scott Coolbaugh, who was offered another position in the organization.
Dave Magadan's mission in Texas will be to help the Rangers cash in with runners in scoring position, writes Richard Durrett. Story
"We feel like we've strengthened our big league club and our whole organization by bringing in one of the best," Daniels said. "We think Scott is an asset to the organization and talented and belongs here with the Rangers. We just felt like we had a chance to get one of the best in the business."
ESPN - Dave Magadan leaves Red Sox
Can't blame Magadan for taking this offer. He'll get coach real-live major league hitters again.
He was a good coach for the Sox. He'll be missed. And we wish him a tiny bit of luck. Not too much.
Rest of the links:
Herald - Dave Magadan takes Texas job | Globe - Who would the Red Sox give up for Farrell? | Farrell talks continue between Sox, Jays | CSNNE - Which team is worse off over next 5 years: Sox or Yanks? | Yankees elimination is one to relish
