Red Sox Notes: Lamont, Valentine, Ortiz, Winter Meetings

UPDATE 1:45AM EST: Jim Bowden of ESPN is reporting via twitter that a managerial decision could come as early as today, after which negotiations will begin and an announcement would be made Wednesday or Thursday. Make your bets now: Lamont or Valentine?

11/29 12:32 EST: Here's the latest out of Boston, where Ben Cherington's task in next week's winter meetings is becoming increasingly difficult, Bobby V has TV execs swooning, Gene Lamont intrigues, Ortiz is making hilarious demands, and where the loss of Terry Francona and changes to the playoff format has Red Sox fans suddenly realizing the significant changes this team is facing both in the near and long term:

• Plethora of decisions await Red Sox in Dallas - Ian Brown | redsox.com
  "When general manager Ben Cherington arrives at baseball's Winter Meetings -- which take place in Dallas from Dec. 5-8 -- he will go full-speed ahead in trying to make the necessary tweaks to turn the Red Sox into a championship team."

• Lamont, Valentine still waiting to hear - The Providence Journal
  "Several reports say the list of candidates has been whittled down to two -- Bobby Valentine and Gene Lamont. According to ESPNBoston.com, Lamont said Monday that he had not been offered the job and according to The New York Times, Valentine, who was at a charity event in Japan on Monday, said he hasn't heard from the team either."

• John Farrell addresses Red Sox rumors - The Providence Journal
  "Former Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell, now the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, addressed on a Toronto radio station on Monday the rumors that have swirled about the interest the Red Sox might have in him to fill their managerial vacancy."
• Is Gene Lamont's stock rising with Red Sox? - The Detroit News
  "It's long been assumed the job would be Valentine's. But he has yet to be hired, which would lead a logical person to believe somebody in the Fenway front offices is having second thoughts. Lamont, who last managed in 2000, is the safer choice. Now it seems possible he might soon be the final choice, too."
• David Ortiz Wants A Three-Year Deal; Angels, Orioles, Blue Jays Interested - MLB Daily Dish
  According to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, free agent designated hitter David Ortiz is looking for a three year deal. According to the report, Ortiz has drawn significant interest from multiple teams. Ortiz intends to allow the Boston Red Sox to match any offer, and both sides still have mutual interest with each other.
• The Pros And Cons Of Bobby Valentine - Over the Monster
  Matt Tries To Talk Himself Into Bobby Valentine: The Pros and Cons of Bobby V
• New MLB Playoff Format Sets Higher Bar For Red Sox - Over the Monster
  The new MLB playoff format could spell trouble for perennial Wild Card favorites like the Boston Red Sox.
• Maybe Terry Francona Was On To Something - Over the Monster
  A look at what pinch-running for someone like Adrian Gonzalez actually means.