TORONTO -- Following months of speculation, the Blue Jays and John Farrell opted to go their separate ways late Saturday night.
MLB.com has confirmed that Farrell reached a multiyear agreement to become Boston's new manager, and an official announcement is imminent. The move had been speculated upon for upwards of a year, but couldn't come to fruition until the two sides agreed to compensation.
The specifics have yet to be announced, but a report on FOXSports.com indicated that infielder Mike Aviles would head to Toronto as part of the deal, while first baseman Adam Lind could join Farrell in Boston.
CSN New England was first to report the news that the Red Sox reached an agreement with Farrell.
Farrell's departure to Boston brings some closure to almost a year of seemingly nonstop speculation about his future. The New Jersey native was first linked to the Red Sox in October 2011 after longtime manager Terry Francona was relieved of his duties at the end of the season.
The search for Francona's replacement included a lot of speculation regarding Farrell, which prompted the Blue Jays to institute a policy that prohibited employees to depart for another organization in a lateral move.
That eventually led to the Red Sox settling for the controversial Bobby Valentine, but following a disappointing season, yet another managerial search began. Boston interviewed a list of candidates including Tim Wallach, Brad Ausmus and Tony Pena, but it was clear from the start that Farrell was the main target.
Last year, the Blue Jays insisted on right-hander Clay Buchholz as compensation for Farrell but it appears as though they were more inclined to make a move this time around.
Aviles would give the Blue Jays another option up the middle as the club heads into an offseason of uncertainty. Kelly Johnson, who was Toronto's everyday second baseman in 2012, is expected to leave as a free agent, while veteran Yunel Escobar has been frequently mentioned as possible trade bait.
The 31-year-old Aviles, along with top prospect Adeiny Hechavarria, would provide the club with potential in-house replacements. That depth also could allow the Blue Jays to focus more of their attention on providing some much-needed upgrades to their starting rotation.
Farrell's departure comes after two disappointing seasons in Toronto. The Blue Jays did manage to finish at .500 in 2011 (81-81), but they regressed the following season thanks in part to a series of devastating injuries and subpar years from previously established performers.
The 50-year-old Farrell implemented a more aggressive approach on the basepaths than previous manager Cito Gaston, but there were obvious draw backs. Toronto baserunners frequently ran themselves into outs, and by late September, veteran infielder Omar Vizquel questioned whether there was enough accountability in the clubhouse for the moves.
Toronto now finds itself in need of another manager despite claims at the end of the season by general manager Alex Anthopoulous that he remained fully committed to Farrell, who was signed through the 2013 season.
The Blue Jays will shift their focus to a short list of managerial candidates, which could resemble a similar group from 2010. Former catcher and current Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. becomes an early favorite to succeed Farrell after finishing as his runner-up just two years ago.
Also under consideration could be former candidate DeMarlo Hale, while Tampa Bay bench coach Dave Martinez has long been viewed as a manager in waiting.
It remains to be seen what Farrell's departure would mean for the rest of Toronto's coaching staff. First base coach Torey Lovullo followed Farrell from Boston to Toronto, while third-base coach Brian Butterfield, pitching coach Bruce Walton and hitting coach Dwayne Murphy had previous ties to the organization.
Farrell's brief two-year tenure with the Blue Jays ended with a 154-170 record. His time in Toronto will be less known for a change in on-field philosophy than it will be remembered for a seemingly endless list of injuries and nonstop speculation linking Farrell to his former team.
The possible departure of Lind could save the Blue Jays upwards of $7 million in 2013. Lind is set to make $5 million next season with a $2 million buyout for 2014, along with another two additional club option years.
Aviles hit .250 with a subpar .282 on-base percentage in 136 games for the Red Sox in 2012. He is a career .277 hitter in parts of five seasons with Kansas City and Boston.
MLB.com has confirmed that Farrell reached a multiyear agreement to become Boston's new manager, and an official announcement is imminent. The move had been speculated upon for upwards of a year, but couldn't come to fruition until the two sides agreed to compensation.
The specifics have yet to be announced, but a report on FOXSports.com indicated that infielder Mike Aviles would head to Toronto as part of the deal, while first baseman Adam Lind could join Farrell in Boston.
CSN New England was first to report the news that the Red Sox reached an agreement with Farrell.
Farrell's departure to Boston brings some closure to almost a year of seemingly nonstop speculation about his future. The New Jersey native was first linked to the Red Sox in October 2011 after longtime manager Terry Francona was relieved of his duties at the end of the season.
The search for Francona's replacement included a lot of speculation regarding Farrell, which prompted the Blue Jays to institute a policy that prohibited employees to depart for another organization in a lateral move.
That eventually led to the Red Sox settling for the controversial Bobby Valentine, but following a disappointing season, yet another managerial search began. Boston interviewed a list of candidates including Tim Wallach, Brad Ausmus and Tony Pena, but it was clear from the start that Farrell was the main target.
Last year, the Blue Jays insisted on right-hander Clay Buchholz as compensation for Farrell but it appears as though they were more inclined to make a move this time around.
Aviles would give the Blue Jays another option up the middle as the club heads into an offseason of uncertainty. Kelly Johnson, who was Toronto's everyday second baseman in 2012, is expected to leave as a free agent, while veteran Yunel Escobar has been frequently mentioned as possible trade bait.
The 31-year-old Aviles, along with top prospect Adeiny Hechavarria, would provide the club with potential in-house replacements. That depth also could allow the Blue Jays to focus more of their attention on providing some much-needed upgrades to their starting rotation.
Farrell's departure comes after two disappointing seasons in Toronto. The Blue Jays did manage to finish at .500 in 2011 (81-81), but they regressed the following season thanks in part to a series of devastating injuries and subpar years from previously established performers.
The 50-year-old Farrell implemented a more aggressive approach on the basepaths than previous manager Cito Gaston, but there were obvious draw backs. Toronto baserunners frequently ran themselves into outs, and by late September, veteran infielder Omar Vizquel questioned whether there was enough accountability in the clubhouse for the moves.
Toronto now finds itself in need of another manager despite claims at the end of the season by general manager Alex Anthopoulous that he remained fully committed to Farrell, who was signed through the 2013 season.
The Blue Jays will shift their focus to a short list of managerial candidates, which could resemble a similar group from 2010. Former catcher and current Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. becomes an early favorite to succeed Farrell after finishing as his runner-up just two years ago.
Also under consideration could be former candidate DeMarlo Hale, while Tampa Bay bench coach Dave Martinez has long been viewed as a manager in waiting.
It remains to be seen what Farrell's departure would mean for the rest of Toronto's coaching staff. First base coach Torey Lovullo followed Farrell from Boston to Toronto, while third-base coach Brian Butterfield, pitching coach Bruce Walton and hitting coach Dwayne Murphy had previous ties to the organization.
Farrell's brief two-year tenure with the Blue Jays ended with a 154-170 record. His time in Toronto will be less known for a change in on-field philosophy than it will be remembered for a seemingly endless list of injuries and nonstop speculation linking Farrell to his former team.
The possible departure of Lind could save the Blue Jays upwards of $7 million in 2013. Lind is set to make $5 million next season with a $2 million buyout for 2014, along with another two additional club option years.
Aviles hit .250 with a subpar .282 on-base percentage in 136 games for the Red Sox in 2012. He is a career .277 hitter in parts of five seasons with Kansas City and Boston.