John Farrell Red Sox "Top Choice" to Replace Bobby Valentine

It now seems to be a case of when and not if the Boston Red Sox will part ways with current manager Bobby Valentine, whose radio meltdown roused the attention of the national media yesterday. With Boston expected to soon be shopping for their next skipper, current Toronto Blue Jays manager and former Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell is the club’s "top choice," according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe:

John Farrell was the Red Sox’ top choice to manage after they fired Terry Francona last October, and every indication this reporter has received from team and major league sources is that he will be their first choice to replace Bobby Valentine.

Cafardo notes that the Red Sox talked Farrell with the Blue Jays last season when they were searching for Terry Francona’s replacement. Before selecting Valentine as their next manager, Boston discussed possible compensation packages for Farrell with Toronto. The Blue Jays were not satisfied with the players offered, and Farrell remained in Toronto while Valentine landed in Boston.

According to Cafardo, potential talks of Farrell to the Red Sox will once again be centered on the compensation the Blue Jays would receive. While Toronto has made no indication that they are interested in "trading" Farrell this offseason, Cafardo believes things could change if the club were to receive the right offer.

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Should the Red Sox go all-out to acquire Farrell from the Blue Jays?

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