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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