Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski named Mike Hazen as the team's new general manager, but the club still needs to perhaps make another crucial decision: select a manager for the 2016 season.
The latest rumors surround interim manager Torey Lovullo, who has done an excellent job ever since John Farrell left the team to undergo treatment for lymphoma. Lovullo, who was considered for manager positions last offseason, is 22-13 since filling in for Farrell and has helped the team go 8-3-1 in its past 12 series.
On the other hand, Farrell was 50-67 before leaving the Red Sox and finished 71-91 in 2014. Boston is likely to finish in last place in the AL East for the second straight year after winning the World Series in 2013.
With a large turnover in managers throughout the MLB this season, rumors suggest Lovullo will be a candidate for a number of vacancies, which puts the Red Sox in a tough position. Boston is under new management with Dombrowski and Hazen, while Farrell was chosen by former GM Ben Cherington.
How will the club handle the managerial situation involving both Farrell and Lovullo?
"I think John Farrell - if he comes back from his health issue - I would assume he's going to be managing the Boston Red Sox," expert analyst Dan Plesac said on the MLB Tonight. "What does that mean for Torey Lovullo? I don't know, but he has opened up a lot of eyes, and if it's not with the Boston Red Sox in 2016, I think Lovullo has earned the right to manage somewhere else."
FOX Sports Ken Rosenthal believes the selection of Hazen to be the team's general manager "will prevent a mass exodus from Boston's front office and ensures greater continuity," but the same cannot necessary be said for the on-field personnel.
If a team asks permission on Lovullo, #RedSox might need to make quick call. Part with Farrell and name Lovullo, or let Lovullo interview...
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 24, 2015
Cannot force Lovullo to remain Farrell's bench coach if other teams want him to manage. Also could keep Farrell, let Lovullo interview.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 24, 2015
It is a delicate situation, to say the least; Farrell entering final stages in his treatment for lymphoma.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 24, 2015
If it's up to Hazen, it will be one of the most difficult decisions for a new general manager to be tasked with, especially since his relationship with Farrell and Lovullo goes way back. The three worked in the Cleveland Indians' organization together from 2003-2005: Farrell was the team's director of player development, Hazen was the assistant director of player development and Lovullo worked closely with the two as manager of the club's High Class-A and Double-A affiliates.
"The relationships I've had with John and Torey are tremendous," Hazen said on Thursday, via Jen McCaffrey of MassLive.com. "I think it helps, the continuity aspect, from a relationship standpoint, speeding things up. Hopefully that puts me in a position to help speed Dave up in terms of some of the things walking in that he may not know right away - our relationship, our ability to communicate, those from the front office to the clubhouse are extremely important. Hopefully those relationships will allow for that."
It remains a sticky situation and it's unknown what the front office is thinking. Either way, there's a good chance Farrell or Lovullo are no longer with the Red Sox in 2016.
