John Farrell Given Freedom As He Builds Staff, Says He’ll Consider Current Red Sox Coaches

BOSTON — John Farrell wants to bring stability to the Red Sox, and that starts with the coaching staff.

While Farrell has reportedly brought Torey Lovullo from Toronto to become his bench coach, he said he's still discussing the rest of the team's coaching vacancies with Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington.

"I wouldn't say we're really advanced," Farrell said. "I would say we've got a number of names who are candidates for the roles that exist. [We're] still determining the coaches who were here last year and will they continue to go forward. We're probably in the third or fourth inning."

Farrell said he will also consult with the holdovers from Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine's staff. Hitting coach Dave Magadan has already departed, taking the same position with the Rangers.

But pitching coach Randy Niemann, bullpen coach and catching instructor Gary Tuck, bench coach Tim Bogar, first base coach Alex Ochoa and third base coach Jerry Royster are currently in limbo.

"We had given all coaches permission to look around as soon as the season was over," Cherington said. "Now that John is here, we'll go about the process of filling out the staff. That will include consideration of the current coaches, but we don't have anything to report on that."

One thing is for sure: Farrell will have the autonomy to handpick his own coaches, a luxury that Valentine never exactly received.

"Wanted to give John the latitude to have a fresh canvas to work off of," Cherington said. "But he has been and will talk to some of the people that were on the staff this year. We'll see where it ends up. Most importantly, he's got to put the staff together that he believes fits the criteria that he talked about.

"We're looking at [the positions] as open, but it doesn't mean we're closing the door to some of those who were here before."

That will ultimately be Farrell's decision.

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