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Boston has lost a pitching coach. Toronto has gained a manager.

The Blue Jays have hired Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell to manage the Toronto ball club in 2011, according to Richard Griffin of theStar.com. An announcement should be made on Monday.

The hiring has been expected for several days as Toronto ended a lengthy search to fill their managerial void. Of course, the move will leave a new void on the Boston staff, one not easily filled.

Farrell, who replaced Dave Wallace as Red Sox pitching coach following the 2006 season, has reportedly done exceptional work with the Boston staff, particularly its younger stars. Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, and Daniel Bard have all thrived under Farrell’s tutelage.

In Toronto, Farrell’s pitching expertise should serve the franchise quite well. Brett Cecil, Kyle Drabek, Brandon Morrow, and even Shaun Marcum all seem excellent candidates to take the next step under a strong pitching-coach-turned-manager.

What’s more, Farrell will clearly provide his new club with powerful insights regarding their division rival Red Sox. Certainly an unspoken code prevails in these matters, but Farrell will be in a unique position to pick apart Boston pitchers with whom he is all too familiar.

All in all, this seems a good signing for the Toronto Blue Jays, and a mixed bag for the Boston Red Sox.

Yes, Farrell has demonstrated success with Boston’s pitching staff, but Boston’s pitching inconsistencies in 2010 may have heralded a necessary change. Farrell’s replacement, whomever that may be, may provide the fresh perspective required to get the likes of Daisuke Matsuzaka, Josh Beckett, and John Lackey back to their winning ways.

Just speculating, but what if the Red Sox could pry Dave Duncan from St. Louis?

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The New York Mets are targeting Boston’s Jacoby Ellsbury and may seek to acquire the speedy outfielder this winter, according to the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo and multiple sources within the Mets organization.

This information fascinates from several angles. That the Mets consider themselves potential buyers of rising, affordable talent, that the Red Sox might actually be positioned to consider dealing their homegrown speedster, and that these two teams might match up perfectly in consummating such a deal, are all intriguing aspects of this particular rumor.

The Mets certainly need both to upgrade their outfield and get younger. Despite being sidelined with rib fractures throughout most of the 2010 season, Ellsbury would help the Mets tremendously in both senses.

A career .291 hitter who stole 120 bases over the 2008 and 2009 campaigns, the 27-year-old Ellsbury could bolster the speed element at the top of the Mets lineup, particularly if New York is considering parting ways with Jose Reyes once his contract expires at the end of 2011.

An above-average defender, particularly at the corner outfield positions, Ellsbury owns a 23.4 UZR/150 in left field and would certainly be an upgrade over Jason Bay, who could be shifted to right field.

Meanwhile, it’s no secret that there could be a developing rift between Ellsbury, his agent Scott Boras, and Red Sox management.

This season, Ellsbury accused the Red Sox of toying with his injury and failing to take his medical complaints seriously. Combine that open hostility with the most difficult agent in baseball, and you have a recipe for an Ellsbury trade.

Of course, any team that might deal for Ellsbury would need pockets deep enough to retain him when he hits free agency. The Mets are one of only a handful of teams should Ellsbury continue his impressive production.

So, Ellsbury is a prime candidate to be shipped from Boston. The Mets have the need and the money. The question remains: what can the Mets offer in return?

With Victor Martinez and Adrian Beltre both hitting free agency this winter under Type-A status, the Red Sox will either be paying through the nose to resign them or pursuing internal or external replacement options. While the Mets lack a suitable catcher to deal, they do have an attractively priced third baseman in David Wright.

For more details on David Wright’s availability and suitability, read this recent article: MLB Trade Rumors: New York Mets’ David Wright a Fit with the Red Sox?

While a pure Wright-for-Ellsbury swap seems unlikely, those two pieces could form the core of a deal. Obviously, given the Francisco Rodriguez situation, Jonathan Papelbon could also figure prominently in any serious Mets-Red Sox negotiations.

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Dodgers‘ outfielder Andre Ethier has reportedly announced that he would “love” to play in Boston, according to Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com. Given the Red Sox‘ myriad outfield woes this season and Ethier‘s .851 career OPS, the Boston brass would no doubt equally love to welcome the 28-year-old lefty to Beantown.

Certainly, much of Red Sox Nation would leap at the prospect of acquiring Ethier, and the Dodgers’ divorce disarray could make such an acquisition an unlikely reality.

Not often do the financial, legal, and contractual stars align so perfectly. A year ago, the idea that Ethier might be available via trade would have been almost laughable, but the Dodger franchise is now in such turmoil that dealing a rising star with a favorable contract is no longer beyond the realm of possibility.

While most franchises, particularly ones situated in such mammoth markets, would smile upon Ethier‘s $9.25 million 2011 paycheck, the Dodgers are not one of them. Despite front office adamant statements to the contrary, the highly publicized McCourt divorce seems to have hamstrung that office’s spending ability.

In fact, the Dodgers’ financial constraints may not be limited to maintaining what is already a questionably low payroll. The Dodgers may be forced to cut further a budget that already seems shy of their perceived revenue streams.

Ethier may be one of the young stars of Hollywood’s ballclub, but his rising stock may be the very thing that sees him prematurely exit the Los Angeles stage.

Oddly enough, it’s not so much Ethier‘s next big raise that might render him unaffordable for the divorce-embroiled Dodgers; rather, it’s Ethier‘s paltry $3.75 million pay increase from 2010 to 2011 that might ship him off to Boston.

Obviously, given Ethier‘s limited MLB service time, his desires factor little in any possible trade destination. However, the Red Sox and Dodgers have a solid history in the trade market and in an essentially forced trade, an easy, familiar negotiation may be valued at a premium.

In case there is any doubt, the Red Sox certainly could take advantage of Ethier‘s bat in 2011 and beyond.

Presently, Boston has Jacoby Ellsbury, Mike Cameron, and J.D. Drew manning the outfield for another year, but the Red Sox could easily make room for Ethier. Should an Ethier trade become a palpable possibility, the Red Sox could let David Ortiz walk, shift Drew to designated hitter, and plant Ethier in right field.

Both Drew and Cameron are under contract for only one more year, and the Sox aren’t likely to resign either, so keeping them happy with their playing time or positioning shouldn’t be particularly high on the list of 2011 priorities.

There is ample room for Ethier and his Pesky-perfect lefty bat.

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Many might contend it’s a bit early to start dissecting the dynamics of the Red Sox’ 2011 bullpen, but with Boston all but eliminated from playoff contention, the Nation needs something positive to even begin keeping the faith through an extended offseason.

Throughout 2010, the Fenway Faithful have endured disturbing seasons from Ramon Ramirez, Manny Delcarmen (traded), and Hideki Okajima. While Daniel Bard, Jonathan Papelbon, and Scott Atchison have performed admirably, if not excellently, the rest of the bullpen has laid goose egg upon goose egg.

Of particular concern to the Red Sox has been Okajima‘s demise. After posting ERAs of 2.22, 2.61, and 3.39 during his first three seasons, the Japanese lefty has dropped a 5.11 mark on the 2010 campaign. Opponents are batting .337 against Okajima, whose slow decline has suddenly snowballed into swift disaster. Okajima will likely be released this winter.

Although Papelbon, Bard, and Atchison will probably be joined by a usually effective Tim Wakefield in the 2011 bullpen, Boston will have a conspicuous dirth of southpaws. Pursuing lefty free agent Scott Downs seems wise, but should that pursuit fall short or prove too expensive, the Red Sox do have internal options.

Enter Dustin Richardson.

I recently visited Newton, Kansas, where Richardson grew up, and I talked for a long time with some close friends of his family. From what I heard, Richardson is a great young man, and the people of Newton couldn’t be prouder of what he’s already achieved in professional baseball.

Setting aside a rocky outing on September 7 against the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays, Richardson has been exceptional in well-chosen appearances this season. Without that one appearance last week, in which Richardson surrendered three earned runs in an uncharacteristically bad game, Richardson has put up a 2.07 ERA over 13 Major League innings.

Richardson’s June call-up from AAA Pawtucket came as no surprise to Sox enthusiasts.

In 2009, the Kansas native posted a 2.70 ERA with an 11.37 K/9 ratio for AA Portland before advancing to Pawtucket and improving to a 1.69 ERA and a 13.50 K/9 ratio. Over 44 innings with the 2010 Pawtucket Red Sox, the 26-year-old Richardson delivered a 2.66 ERA and an 11.45 K/9 ratio.

Bringing up Richardson to fill a hole left by an ineffective Scott Schoeneweis and a diminished Hideki Okajima made perfect sense. Unfortunately, it was too little, too late.

However, as long as he keeps his edge, Richardson should receive an invitation to 2011 spring training and earn a regular spot in the MLB bullpen.

In fact, with or without Downs, Richardson should be a full-time fixture on next season’s 25-man roster. If I’m right, the people of Newton will have big reasons to be even prouder of Richardson come next April.

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Not since David Wright’s May slump have there been any serious rumblings about the Mets trading their star third baseman, but the question has recently been posed: Would Wright match up well with the Boston Red Sox, and would a trade be possible this winter?

The question itself is not without merit given Boston third baseman Adrian Beltre’s impending free agency, Wright’s burgeoning salary and declining production, and the Mets’ aging roster of annual under achievers.

Surely some Mets fans will consider the question itself just another demonstration of the Red Sox Nation’s arrogance, for how could anyone possibly think the Mets would or should part with the face of their franchise?

Just as surely, many the Red Sox Faithful will leap at the prospect like lobsters from a boiling pot, for who wouldn’t want to acquire David Wright?

Let’s examine the facts and see how desirable and possible a Wright-to-Boston deal might be.

Wright turns 28 this December and remains under contract through 2012 with a club option for 2013, so Wright will still be a relatively young 30-year-old player when he hits free agency.

Through 2010, Wright has been paid $23.5 million on his seven-year, $68.5 million deal, so this heavily back-loaded contract is about to come home to roost. At season’s end, Wright will still be owed $45 million, including that 2013 option.

That said, Wright’s production has been down significantly since the beginning of 2009.

In 2009, Wright hit .307 with only 10 homers and a career-worst 837 OPS. In 2010, Wright has improved offensively, hitting .290 with 23 homers and an 864 OPS. Still, Wright’s overall production on both offense and defense is dramatically lower than what it once was.

During his first four full seasons, from 2005 to 2008, Wright produced an average of $26.7 million in sabermetric value. In 2009 and 2010, Wright has respectively produced only $15.3 million and $15.6 million.

This sharp drop is due in large part to Wright’s declining defensive production. A Gold-Glove winner in 2007 and 2008, Wright has played below-average defense over the past two years. In fact, Wright’s range has decreased to such an extent that he is now a below-average defender for his career.

None of this is to suggest that David Wright is a has-been star. Perhaps, Wright’s bat and glove have only temporarily slacked off. Certainly, maintaining MVP-caliber production year after year is no easy task.

Yet these numbers should cast doubt on the sagacity of any team, not just the Red Sox, trading for David Wright.

Given Boston general manager Theo Epstein’s alacrity for sabermetrics and run prevention, Wright would seem a poor match with Boston.

Wright’s declining defense speaks for itself, and should his sabermetric value hold steady around $15 million annually, Wright would only just be worth the remaining money on his contract.

As an alternative to resigning Beltre, Wright would probably cost the same in yearly salary and produce less.

What’s more, retaining Beltre can be achieved with the mere stroke of the pen, but acquiring the face of the Mets would surely require prized prospects and major-league-ready talent in addition to an equivalent financial commitment.

At the end of the day, Boston wouldn’t and shouldn’t be interested in trading for Wright, but New York should definitely be thinking about shipping him elsewhere.

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Right-handed pitcher Matt Fox has been claimed by the Boston Red Sox, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s Joe Christensen. The Minnesota Twin farmhand was designated for assignment this past Sunday, only two days following a successful MLB debut against the Texas Rangers.

Originally drafted with the 35th overall pick in 2004, Fox has has spent more than six years in the minors and owns a career 3.64 ERA and 1.27 WHIP, according to TheBaseballCube.com.

During this 2010 season with Minnesota’s Triple-A affiliate Rochester Red Wings, the 27-year-old Floridian dealt 123 innings, fanned 104, and posted a 3.95 ERA.

While the move was perhaps necessary for the first-place Twins, it opened the door for the flailing Red Sox to acquire an arm that could bolster their bullpen in 2011.

In his first Major League start this past Friday, Fox went 5.2 innings against a tough Texas lineup and allowed four hits, one walk, and two earned runs en route to a no decision. The four hits came off the bats of Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Elvis Andrus, and David Murphy.

While the Red Sox’ 2011 rotation is all-but set due to contracts with Josh Beckett, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Tim Wakefield, the 2011 bullpen is just as up in the air given the pen’s struggles in 2010.

Fox appears to have the stuff, but he needs a sustained shot at The Show. Thanks to a pennant race, Fox may get that shot in Boston in the very near future.

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Any discerning Red Sox fan checking in with Gordon Edes’ work on ESPNBoston.com was probably surprised to read that the “club is prepared to pick up” their $12.5 million option on David Ortiz.

For at least the past two years, that option has seemed rather expensive given the 34-year-old designated hitter’s early struggles over two consecutive seasons. Despite Ortiz’ repeated resurgences, many expected the Red Sox to decline that option in favor of a more affordable two-year deal. However, the conventional thinking may have focused too much on the option’s financial cost and not enough on its duration.

That Theo Epstein may be inclined to exercise Ortiz’ option indicates he might be more concerned with roster flexibility than cost control. For an organization whose pockets are as deep as the Red Sox’, such priorities seem spot on.

Red Sox Nation can hardly forget Ortiz’ .143 average during May 2009 and April 2010. For two seasons, Ortiz has been booed early and often and generally considered washed up before going on a tear and finishing strong as ever. In 2009, the four-time Silver Slugger failed to homer until May, but he subsequently launched 28 bombs and ended the season with 99 RBI and a 794 OPS. To date in 2010, Ortiz has followed up a weak start with 28 dingers, 87 RBI, and an 893 OPS.

Sabermetrically, Ortiz hasn’t earned his keep since 2007 when he achieved $27.6 million in value. However, if Ortiz continues to produce throughout this September, he will likely again be worth his contract and then some.

All this analysis is simply to clarify Ortiz’ production and value over the short term. Ortiz has made clear that he wants to stay in Boston where he is a proven, successful commodity. Although the likes of Vladimir Guerrero, Carlos Pena, Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko will all be available this winter, Ortiz’ long success in Boston makes him a far more attractive option for the 2011 Red Sox.

While a two or three year contract extension at a lower yearly rate might save the Red Sox a few bucks, it would tie their hands at designated hitter for the near future. What’s more, although Ortiz’ successive comeback seasons are a good sign, they offer no guarantee he’ll be able to sustain his success into his late thirties.

Exercising the option and keeping Ortiz for only one more year allows Boston the flexibility to offer a Prince Fielder or Adrian Gonzalez the kind of long-term, mammoth contract they will surely demand.

As surprising as Edes’ information seems at first glance, it all makes perfect sense for the 2011 Red Sox and beyond.

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The Boston Globe‘s Nick Cafardo has tweeted some speculation that the Chicago White Sox’ Paul Konerko may be a fit at Fenway in 2011. Frankly, the idea that Theo Epstein would sign Chicago’s overachieving 34-year-old first baseman is laughable.

It seems likely to this writer that Mr. Cafardo is simply a man of the moment. That is, with the White Sox visiting Beantown this weekend for a three-game set, Mr. Cafardo is participating in some amateur scouting. Were the Colorado Rockies in town, Cafardo might easily be tweeting that Kaz Matsui could be a good match with the 2011 Sox.

In fact, it seems to this writer that Cafardo, like many an overzealous fan, is simply enamoured of the hot player he sees before him, for under no logical circumstances should the Red Sox consider signing Konerko. Today, at least, Cafardo seems more emotional fanatic than critical journalist.

First, I doubt Cafardo is suggesting the Red Sox sign Konerko to replace David Ortiz at designated hitter. Konerko will cost more than Ortiz, a hometown hero who can provide similar power for less than half the price. For those confused by the numbers, rest assured that Ortiz’ $12.5 million club option will be declined, but the Red Sox will probably tender him an offer for two to three years and $18 to $24 million.

Consider, therefore, that Paul Konerko can play first base only. Were the Red Sox to sign Konerko, they would have to let third baseman Adrian Beltre walk and permanently shift current first baseman Kevin Youkilis to third.

For an organization that values strong defense, these moves would be disastrous. While Kevin Youkilis has won a Gold Glove at first, Konerko is a below-average defender whose 2010 UZR/150 rests at a pathetic -11.9.

Meanwhile, over at the hot corner, Adrian Beltre possesses a career UZR/150 of 15.6. Youkilis owns a respectable, but less impressive, 6.9 mark.

The aggregate defensive change for the Sox were they to sign Konerko would be to downgrade the corner infield positions by a UZR/150 of 28.1.

For those who don’t entirely understand Ultimate Zone Rating, decreasing by 28.1 would lead to a lot of angry Red Sox pitchers.

Offensively, signing Konerko and bidding Beltre goodbye might be a short-term wash. Both Beltre (.321 AVG/918 OPS/25 HR) and Konerko (.319 AVG/986 OPS/33 HR) are enjoying near-career years. Neither should be expected to replicate this type of production in 2011.

However, even if both Beltre and Konerko can keep it up, Beltre has youth on his side. Konerko will be 35 on opening day next season. Beltre will be turning 32 that week. Those three years are mammoth in baseball.

Assuming that both Beltre and Konerko will command multi-year contracts this winter, Beltre is the far safer bet.

Since 2005, Beltre has averaged just over $15 million per year in sabermetric value. A fair contract offer would be four years and $60 million. At the contract’s conclusion, Beltre would be 35.

Conversely, in that same span, Konerko has averaged just under $12 million per year sabermetrically. At his age, however, it would be dangerous to offer Konerko more than two years and $24 million. Konerko will want more.

To this writer’s knowledge, Cafardo is the first to wonder if Konerko and Boston might be a good match. He should be the last.

Just a suggestion, but Cafardo might spend less time tweeting about visiting first basemen and more time watching the hometown third baseman. The Red Sox already have a first basemen, and between Beltre and Konerko only one belongs in Boston. He’s at the hot corner.

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The Boston Red Sox have released journeyman outfielder Jeremy Hermida, according to Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com. As much as Hermida expressed surprise when he was designated for assignment at the end of July, surely his outright release yesterday could be considered a shock.

Hermida’s release was confirmed late last night via an online announcement on RedSox.com.

Before being designated for assignment at the non-waiver trade deadline, Hermida had managed to hit a meager .203 in 171 plate appearances with the 2010 Red Sox. After being sent down to Triple-A Pawtucket, the 26-year-old Georgian improved to a .288 average and 723 OPS, but those are hardly the kind of numbers that will earn a spot back up at The Show.

Certainly, when the Red Sox acquired Hermida from the Florida Marlins during the offseason, they were optimistic he might finally fulfill the potential associated with his first-round draft status.

Hermida’s tale remains one of unmet expectations. Originally brought in to replace Rocco Baldelli as Boston’s reserve outfielder, Hermida entered 2010 with little pressure to prove himself. However, injuries to Jacoby Ellsbury and Mike Cameron gave Hermida the opportunity to be all that he could be in Beantown. Hermida wasn’t up to the challenge.

A career .259 hitter with a mediocre glove, Hermida has spent much of the 2010 campaign overshadowed by the likes of Darnell McDonald, Daniel Nava, and Ryan Kalish. Hermida should have topped that pack, but the Fenway hotbox seems to have been too much for him.

McDonald (.272 AVG / 777 OPS), Nava (.256 AVG / 730 OPS), and Kalish (.228 AVG / 604 OPS) have all surpassed Hermida. With his above-average defense, McDonald should be the favorite to hang onto the reserve outfield spot in 2011.

Thanks for stopping by during this injury-plagued 2010 campaign, Mr. Hermida. The Fenway Faithful hardly knew you.

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The Boston Red Sox have dealt struggling reliever and hometown flame-thrower Manny Delcarmen to the Colorado Rockies for minor league pitcher Chris Balcom-Miller, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com.

After first breaking in with the Sox’s in 2005 and posting a respectable 3.00 ERA, the 28-year-old Delcarmen has experienced distinct peaks and valleys in his six seasons in Beantown.

In 2006, opponents batted .385 against Delcarmen, but during the 2007 Championship run, he put up a career-best 2.05 ERA.

Unfortunately, both Delcarmen’s ERA and BB/9 ratio have steadily climbed since the 2007 World Series, and his K/9 ratio has only decreased in that time. All of his numbers have been going in the wrong direction.

Auspiciously, Brad Hawpe, the Colorado Rockie who launched a homerun off Delcarmen in that World Series, was just traded to the Tampa Bay Rays.

The 2010 Fenway faithful have seen Delcarmen post nearly career-worst numbers across the board, and Delcarmen himself has no doubt heard those same faithful moan in frustration whenever he’s made the trot from the bullpen to the mound.

Parting with Delcarmen is hardly throwing in the towel on the season, as he’s offered little true relief out of the pen.

In exchange, the Red Sox have acquired Chris Balcom-Miller, a 21-year-old righty from San Jose, California. Selected in the sixth round of the 2009 amateur draft, Balcom-Miller was impressive for the 2009 Casper Ghosts (1.58 ERA / 0.82 WHIP).

This season, Balcom-Miller has been less dominant for the Class-A Asheville Tourists. In 108.2 innings, he has posted a 3.31 ERA and fanned 117.

As recently as July 6, Balcom-Miller was awarded South Atlantic League honors as Pitcher of the Week.

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