Let's round up some links about the Red Sox's still-ongoing search for Terry Francona's replacement…
- GM Ben Cherington confirmed that Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux has withdrawn his name from consideration for the job, reports WEEI.com's Alex Speier. Speier says it had to do with family concerns, as Maddux did not want to be so far away from his home in Texas.
- MLB.com's Peter Gammons says (on Twitter) that Maddux has not yet been to Chicago, where he is also a candidate for the Cubs' managerial position.
- Cherington confirmed to Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe that the team plans to expand its search, something that was in the works even before Maddux pulled himself out of the running. "Haven’t ruled out internal candidates but [we're] not focused there right now," said the GM.
- Former Red Sox exec and current Padres GM Josh Byrnes spoke to WEEI.com's Rob Bradford about the process of hiring a new manager. "There are steps," he said. "You lay out the criteria you want with the club, the market, the impact on the players, the impact on the fans and the media and the impact on scouting and development. All the things a manager is going to touch. Then you start calling around, asking opinions you trust, and I think that part is a little underrated."
- The Tampa Tribute reports (on Twitter) that the Sox have not yet asked the Rays for permission to talk to bench Dave Martinez about their manager's job.
