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Red Sox Hire John Farrell

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The Red Sox have announced the hiring of John Farrell as their new manager and his agreement to a three-year deal that will run through 2015. As compensation to the Blue Jays, to whom Farrell was under contract through 2013, the Red Sox traded shortstop Mike Aviles for right-hander David Carpenter. 

The Red Sox confirmed in their press release they sought and received permission from the Blue Jays to talk directly to Farrell and made the agreement late last night. Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos told reporters, including Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca (via Twitter), that Farrell approached him one week after the season to tell him, if the opportunity to manage in Boston came up, he wanted to pursue it calling it a dream job. 

"I’m extremely excited to be returning to the Red Sox and to Boston," said Farrell in the Red Sox's statement. "I love this organization. It’s a great franchise in a special city and region, with great fans, and we want nothing more than to reward their faith in us." 

"We are thrilled to name John Farrell as our new manager," said Executive Vice-President/General Manager Ben Cherington, who made the announcement. "John has been a major league pitcher, front office executive, coach, and manager. His broad set of experiences, and exceptional leadership skills, make him the ideal person to lead our team. I have known him in various capacities throughout my career, and I hold him in the highest regard as a baseball man and as a person."

Aviles saw his role reduced towards the end of the season in Boston as the club slotted Jose Iglesias in as the starting shortstop for the bulk of September. The 31-year-old took a step back offensively in 2012 as he hit just .250/.282/.381 with 13 homers. In parts of five big league seasons for the Royals and Red Sox, Aviles owns a .277/.308/.408 batting line. Aviles, who earned $1.2MM last season, will head to arbitration once again this winter and is set to hit the open market after the 2014 season.

This marks the second time that Carpenter has been traded this year, as he went from the Astros to Toronto in a ten-player deal this summer. The 27-year-old appeared in 33 games for the two clubs last season, posting a 8.07 ERA with 8.6 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9. He also had a 3.08 ERA with 8.5 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 23 Triple-A appearances.

Boston had been linked to Farrell, their former pitching coach, ever since Bobby Valentine appeared to be losing his grip on the club this year. Meanwhile, Blue Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos repeatedly deflected questions about the possibility of Farrell returning to the Red Sox and even instituted a club policy of blocking personnel from leaving for a lateral move. 

Two compensation deals for baseball decision makers were completed last season. Theo Epstein went from the Red Sox over to the Cubs' front office while manager Ozzie Guillen was traded from the White Sox to the Marlins. The White Sox received Double-A reliever Jhan Marinez and Triple-A shortstop Ozzie Martinez for their skipper. While both were ranked highly within the Marlins' farm system, neither player is viewed as an elite prospect. Meanwhile, the Cubs and Red Sox had a long protracted battle over what Epstein's compensation package should be before finally agreeing upon pitching prospects Chris Carpenter and Aaron Kurcz going to Boston for Jair Bogaerts.

Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com (via Twitter) was the first to break the news of Farrell's hiring. Rob Bradford of WEEI.com first reported the inclusion of Aviles and, along with colleague Alex Speier, Carpenter. 

Edward Creech contributed to this post.

Cafardo On Mets, Davis, Lincecum, Peavy

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The Yankees are obviously frustrated with how their 2012 campaign turned out, but an American League General Manager told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that they won't have to blow things up the way that the Red Sox did in order to improve.  “[I] don’t think they necessarily have to hit rock bottom like Boston to get better," said the GM.  "We always said you can’t do that in Boston, but it happened. We always say that can’t happen with the Yankees, so I guess we’ll see.  But I just see Brian Cashman trying to get this team younger while still competing. That’s what I think will happen.”  Here's more from today's column..

  • We've heard that the Mets will be open to trading Ike Davis, but special assistant J.P. Ricciardi would be shocked to see any movement on the first baseman.  Davis has often been linked to the Red Sox and the Rays would also be a fit.  Tampa Bay could certainly afford to part ways with a pitcher in order to improve their offense.
  • Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum will be available in trade and it will be interesting to see what kind of market develops for him.  The Giants say his problems were strictly mechanical, but other teams wonder why his fastball dipped from around 96 mph to 92 mph for most of the season.  The 28-year-old is due $22MM in the final year of his deal.
  • The White Sox will decline Jake Peavy's $22MM option for 2013 and one National League GM sees him fetching a three-year deal worth $36-40MM on the open market.  Understandably, the GM cautioned that team doctors would have to do a thorough check on him despite the fact that he stayed healthy this past season.
  • Ricciardi's deal with the Mets is up but he expects to return.  So far, no one has inquired on him as a GM candidate or something close, though he says he would like to return to the front office.

Diamondbacks Designate Takashi Saito For Assignment

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The Diamondbacks have designated Takashi Saito for assignment following yesterday's three-team deal, according to their official transactions page.  Saito was already set to hit the open market this winter, so the move essentially just removes him from the 40-man roster in advance.

The D'Backs signed Saito to a one-year, $1.75MM deal last December after the veteran drew interest from at least five other teams.  The right-hander was sidelined for most of the season with a calf injury after a hamstring strain kept him out of action for the bulk of 2011.  Across the last two seasons, Saito has pitched just 38 and 2/3 innings.

Shohei Otani Headed To MLB

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Japanese pitching prospect Shohei Otani announced that he will pursue a career in MLB rather than turn professional in Japan, according to the Associated Press.  The Red Sox, Rangers, and Dodgers have all sent representatives to Japan to meet with Otani recently and the Orioles are also said to have interest in the right-hander.

"I think I will start in the minor leagues but I want to challenge in the majors. It's been my dream since entering high school," said the 18-year-old.

Otani, who stands at 6'4" and weighs 190 pounds, has a strong fastball that has been clocked in the 99-100 mph range.  If Otani signs with a major league club, he'll be the first potential top NPB draft pick to make the direct jump from high school in Japan to the U.S.

As a tall right-hander, many are quick to compare Otani to fellow Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish.  Otani boasts a similarly live arm with a little bit more velocity and a lot less polish than Darvish showed in high school, writes Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker.  In terms of build, Otani is slightly shorter than the 26-year-old hurler but is heavier than Darvish was at 18.

Quick Hits: Soriano, Blue Jays, Phillies, Rockies

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The Yankees will indeed make a qualifying offer to Rafael Soriano if he opts out of his contract, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.  This morning, agent Scott Boras strongly hinted that the reliever would be opting out of his contract with the Bombers.  Rather than make a guaranteed $14MM for next season, Soriano will instead choose a $1.5MM buyout and the uncertainty of the open market.  Here's more Saturday night linkage..

The Latest On The Red Sox & John Farrell

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Yesterday we heard that the Blue Jays and Red Sox were "making progress" in talks about compensation for manager John Farrell. Those talks appear to be the biggest hurdle, as a contract between Farrell and the Sox should be no problem. Here are today's updates on the situation, with the latest up top…

  • It's likely that Farrell will wind up in Boston, but it's not a certainty that he will be the choice over Brad Ausmus, tweets Peter Gammons of MLB.com.  However, it now seems that the determination will be made by General Manager Ben Cherington.
  • There are indications tonight that the Red Sox are moving closer to a deal that would make Farrell their next manager, according to Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com.
  • The Red Sox have asked to speak directly to Farrell, reports Jimmy Golen of the AP. That could be an indication that talks have progressed far enough that the two sides are talking about a contract.
  • WEEI.com's Rob Bradford reports that the Sox "hope to have a resolution on the manager in the coming days." The club could be motivated to get a deal done before the start of the World Series on Wednesday.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Athletics Notes: Gomes, Crisp, Young

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Earlier tonight, Athletics General Manager Billy Beane spoke with reporters to discuss the three-team deal that brought Chris Young to Oakland.  Beane admitted that the Young acquisition "will have an impact" on their decision to bring back free agent Jonny Gomes and seemed to infer that he won't be back in 2013, writes Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.  Here's more on Beane and the A's..

  • The GM doesn't intend on moving any of the club's other outfielders after acquiring Young and reiterated how important Coco Crisp is to the team, tweets Casey Pratt of CSNBayArea.com.  Beane believes that the club can find playing time for all of their outfielders by rotating them and utilizing the DH spot.
  • Beane said that he phoned Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers about the possibility of trading for Young the day after the Athletics were eliminated by the Tigers, tweets Joe Stiglich of the Bay Area News Group.
  • If Beane has a change of heart about Crisp, Jim Bowden of ESPN (via Twitter) suggests that the Rays, Mets, Indians, and Mariners could all be interested in the outfielder.  Obviously, the Rays would only be a fit if they lose B.J. Upton to the open market.
  • Scott Sizemore will shift back to his original position of second base, a move that seemed possible, Stiglich tweets.

Outrighted To Triple-A: Thompson, Rodriguez

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Tonight's outright assignments..

  • The Rays have outrighted right-hander Wilking Rodriguez and outfielder Rich Thompson to Triple-A, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.  Rodriguez stepped up to Class-A Advanced ball this year, posting a 5.56 ERA with 7.7 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 in seven starts.  Thompson saw time in 23 games for the Rays this season, his only big league action since a six game stint with the Royals in 2004.

Trade Reactions: Bell, D’Backs, A’s, Young, Marlins

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The Diamondbacks bolstered their bullpen today with the acquisition of Heath Bell and they may not be done, tweets Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com.  General Manager Kevin Towers is still on the lookout for a shortstop, third baseman, left-handed specialist, and a starting pitcher.  Arizona still has an excess outfielder to work with as well and could dangle Justin Upton, Jason Kubel, or Gerardo Parra to upgrade elsewhere.  Here's more on the surprising trade..

  • In Chris Young, the D'Backs owed $10MM to an outfielder whom they felt was redundant, so they are instead redirecting the money to a reliever, tweets Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic.
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter) is surprised at how little the Diamondbacks netted in return for Young.  Meanwhile, the A's can now use their new found outfield surplus and trade one, likely Coco Crisp, elsewhere, Rosenthal tweets.
  • Trading Bell, who clashed with manager Ozzie Guillen this year, is one indication that the skipper may return in Miami next year, writes Scott Miller of CBSSports.com.  It has been widely speculated that Guillen would be relieved after a tumultuous first year with the Marlins.
  • The A's came away with the best player in the deal in Young, opines Jim Bowden of ESPN (via Twitter).  Bowden adds that Miami had to move Bell and was fortunate to find a taker while Arizona got a solid defensive shortstop in Cliff Pennington.
  • Pennington being moved out of the picture in Oakland bodes well for Stephen Drew's return, writes Jane Lee of MLB.com.  The shortstop has a $10MM mutual option for 2013.

Diamondbacks Notes: Putz, Bell, Towers

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The Diamondbacks started off the day by finalizing the long awaited decision of exercising J.J. Putz's $6.5MM option for 2013.  It turns out that was small potatoes compared to the move they would pull later in the day – a three-team deal sending Chris Young to Oakland and bringing in Heath Bell from Miami.  Here's more on the D'Backs..

  • Some scouts are already speculating that Putz could be on the trading block after Bell's arrival, tweets Scott Miller of CBSSports.com.  However, Miller notes that General Manager Kevin Towers is a fan of strong bullpens and would relish the chance to have David Hernandez, Bell, and Putz as the club's 7-8-9 relievers (Twitter link).
  • Towers believes that Bell can help "get the ball" to Putz, tweets Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.  That would seem to infer that Putz is still part of the club's plan for 2013, but the closer would absolutely have value if the D'Backs chose to shop him.
  • Prior to the deal being announced, Towers told Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com (via Twitter) that he will talk to Putz about a contract extension.  "I hope he finishes his career in a Diamondbacks uniform," said the GM.

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