Red Sox fire John Farrell

The Red Sox announced Tuesday morning that they have fired manager John Farrell and will begin their search for a replacement immediately. The news comes two days after Boston was ousted in the ALDS for the second time in as many years.

Farrell, 55, ends his Boston tenure with a 432-378 record in five seasons since being hired before the 2013 season. Of course, he won a World Series title with the Sox that season before two consecutive last-place finishes followed by two quick playoff exits led to his dismissal.

Boston went 93-69 for a second consecutive year in 2017 but looked unmatched in a 4-game ALDS loss to the Astros. Calls for Farrell’s firing have grown louder since the summer, largely due to a mixture of questionable bullpen usage and a perceived clubhouse toxicity (due largely to players’ spats with local media members).

Boston will embark on its third managerial search since 2011, when they were unable to lure Farrell away from the Blue Jays and instead hired Bobby Valentine. Valentine’s tenure in Boston was a disaster, leading the Sox to fire him after just one season and fire Farrell before the 2013 campaign.

The Red Sox opening will be highly coveted by many managerial prospects around the game, as its rare to see a 90+ win playoff team looking for a new skipper by the end of October. Potential internal candidates include hitting coach Chili Davis, bench coach Gary DiSarcina and special assistant Jason Varitek, and external options may include ex-Red Sox infielder and current Astros bench coach Alex Cora, ex-Tigers manager Brad Ausmus, Dodgers executive Gabe Kapler and Diamondbacks bench coach Ron Gardenhire.

Boston is the fourth team to part ways with its manager this season, joining the Tigers, Mets and Phillies.