A manager with World Series pedigree may have landed on the Phillies doorsteps
After collapsing in the American League Divisional Round the Boston Red Sox have fired manager John Farrell after five seasons. The news was far from surprising, although Farrell had much success in Boston, winning the American League East three times and taking home a World Series in 2012.
As the Phillies continue their managerial search it’s without a doubt the franchise will kick the tires on Farrell. A native of Monmouth Beach, NJ, coming to Philadelphia is somewhat of a homecoming for Farrell.
Playing in the majors for eight years with Cleveland, Detroit, and the Angels Farrell was an oft-injured starting pitcher drafted 32nd overall in 1984. After his playing career, he returned to his alma mater Oklahoma State as an assistant coach for five years.
Cleveland ultimately welcomed Farrell back into the organization as director of player development in 2001. During that time, Charlie Manuel led the Indians as manager for three seasons along with one of the best minor league systems in baseball.
Cleveland developed young stars such as Victor Martinez, Coco Crisp, Brandon Phillips, and Cliff Lee.
Farrell went on to be the Red Sox pitching coach in 2006 with former Phillies manager Terry Francona, and was then hired by the Toronto Blue Jays as manager in 2010.
Two mediocre seasons in Toronto was enough for the ownership, who ultimately worked out a trade with the Red Sox involving Mike Aviles and David Carpenter, contingent on Farrell being hired as Boston’s next manager.
Farrell went on to win the World Series the following season with Boston; their third in ten years.
As a pitching coach Farrell’s track record speaks for itself. He’s mentored young arms such as Lee, Ricky Romero, Bartolo Colon, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jonathan Papelbon and Jon Lester while also working with potential Hall of Famers with Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield, and C.C. Sabathia.
His success as a manager coming into Boston following the Bobby Valentine and fried chicken debacles is clear and obvious. However, does he fit the mold of what general manager Matt Klentak wants in a manager going forward?
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The early notion is Klentak wants a younger voice that believes in analytics and building towards the future. Farrell has the developmental aspect of Klentak’s approach down, but will he follow in the pursuit of analytics in baseball? Boston’s analytics department underwent an overhaul similar to Philadelphia’s when Dave Dombrowski entered the fray in 2015.
How much Farrell fell in line with Dombrowski’s approach is unknown.
Next: 5 questions the Phillies must answer this offseason
Farrell brings the development and winning pedigree to be the next Phillies manager. Whether or not Klentak sees him as someone who can lead the team for the next 5-10 years into a championship contender is to be seen.