CLEVELAND — The Boston Red Sox figured out a way to keep both John Farrell and Torey Lovullo.
The Red Sox announced Sunday that Farrell will return as manager and Lovullo will return as bench coach in 2016. Lovullo, who has filled in as Boston’s interim manager since August with Farrell battling Stage 1 lymphoma, would have been a prime managerial candidate this offseason if he pursued opportunities elsewhere, but Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski had an idea.
Dombrowski and the Red Sox rewarded Lovullo with a lucrative two-year contract extension that runs through 2017 in exchange for him not interviewing with other teams this winter. The move is important not only because Lovullo is a respected member of the organization who thrived in his two-month stint as Boston’s interim manager, but also because he can serve as a safety net in case Farrell isn’t ready.
Doctors said Farrell, who is expected to undergo additional scans within the next few weeks, might not feel 100 percent for three to six months, according to Dombrowski. Thus, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
“What happens if it’s six months? We’re already into the start of next season,” Dombrowski said. “You’re also in a position where you start talking about spring training, preparation for spring training. It’s a great time of year, but it also can be a grueling time of year, and I don’t want that extra stress on (Farrell) to feel like, ‘I’ve got to be ready, I’ve got to be ready.’ ”
The decision to keep Lovullo is a no-brainer on the surface. He’s familiar with the organization on a number of levels, and Boston performed well on his watch this season despite a unique set of circumstances. The Red Sox obviously are hopeful Farrell will be back in the saddle come spring training and eventually Opening Day, but they now have all of their bases covered with a trusted Plan B.
“Hopefully we’re protected as well as we possibly can,” Dombrowski said. “Hopefully John’s back, he’s feeling great, he’s ready to go. If for some reason he’s a little slow (recovering), his trusted right-hand lieutenant is there to help him at this point.”
Dombrowski noted that he’s been impressed with how Lovullo has handled the entire situation. He also said he hasn’t had a chance to fully evaluate Farrell as a manager. But the Red Sox won a World Series with Farrell at the helm in 2013, which tells Dombrowski he’s capable of getting the job done.
“It’s hard to find established major league managers that have won,” Dombrowski said. “I’ve talked to a lot of people that I trust. I look forward to working with him. I think he deserves that opportunity.”
Lovullo, who said Sunday that staying with Boston “just felt right,” was appreciative while talking about his discussions with Dombrowski leading up to him signing his two-year extension earlier this week.
“(Dombrowski) was gracious through it all, honest through it all, he was polite through it all, and that’s part the equation, too,” Lovullo said. “His honesty and his openness is a reason why I’m here, is a reason why I chose to stay here. I appreciated that. I appreciated what he gave me piece by piece, and he allowed me to take my time (in my decision).”
It sounds like everyone is on the same page and striving toward a common goal. And that’s a good thing on the heels of a 2015 season that featured more lows than highs despite Boston’s late-season surge.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@murphmj
