The Boston Red Sox announced on Wednesday that manager John Farrell will not return for the 2018 season.
Farrell’s contract ran through next season after the team picked up his option last offseason, but the move is not a surprise. The Red Sox were swept in the ALDS by the Cleveland Indians a year ago and lost 3-1 to the Houston Astros this year. The belief was that Farrell had to advance to at least the ALCS to keep his job, and it seems as though that was accurate.
While he is the only manager in Red Sox history to win division titles in back-to-back seasons, Farrell made numerous mistakes with Boston’s bullpen over the past few seasons that proved costly. There were also questions about how he was handling the clubhouse, especially after the team’s relationship with the local media reached a boiling point following an incident between David Price and Dennis Eckersley.
In five seasons with the Red Sox, Farrell compiled a record of 432-378. The team won a World series in his first year back in 2013 and reached the postseason three times, but Boston also finished last in the AL East twice during that span and went 1-6 in its last seven playoff games.
Farrell was ejected during Game 4 of the ALDS on Monday for arguing balls and strikes. The Red Sox ended up blowing a late lead against the Astros with some questionable bullpen management.
