John Farrell and Ben Cherington get contract extensions from Red Sox
Rather than proceed through the 2015 season with a degree uncertainty surrounding its leadership, the Boston Red Sox have guaranteed stability by agreeing to contract extensions with manager John Farrell and general manager Ben Cherington.
The extensions were both learned on Saturday, though it’s reported Cherington’s new deal was finalized last season. As for Farrell, his extension comes on the heels of a disappointing 71-91 season that saw Boston finish last in the AL East, 25 games behind the Baltimore Orioles. Of course, in Farrell’s first season in Boston in 2013, the Red Sox were crowned World Series champions, so a reprieve was in order.
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As you might recall, Farrell was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays, where he accumulated a 154-170 over two seasons as manager, in a trade for infielder Mike Aviles. He replaced Bobby Valentine, who was an unmitigated disaster during his one season with Boston. The Red Sox finished 69-93 in 2012, a full 26 games behind the New York Yankees. Under Farrell, they jumped to 97 wins and then dispatched the Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals during the postseason.
Farrell was to have one guaranteed year remaining on his contract entering 2015, with a club option for 2016. According to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, Farrell is now locked up through the 2017 season, with an option for 2018.
Financial details were not revealed on Saturday, but the press conference did take an interesting turn when Cherington’s pre-existing extension was casually revealed.
“I’m under contract. I have a contract,” said Cherington. “We understand that contracts for people in uniform are important and need to be discussed. We feel, I think I’m speaking for ownership, for the leadership of the organization, I feel fortunate to be a part of, we’re all working together to try and do the same thing, that’s be successful. I have a contract. I’m in good shape. There’s no issue. Glad to be working with [principal owner John Henry] and the rest of the group.”
There were no additional details provided on Cherington’s deal, but he did receive heaps of praise from COO Sam Kennedy.
“I don’t know all the general managers personally in baseball but I know a lot of them. Ben ranks right up there if not as the best then as one of the very best in the game. He’s got the full confidence and support of John and Tom and Larry and Mike and everyone in ownership. He’s extremely well-regarded internally and externally,” said Kennedy. “We’re colleagues, so I’m obviously biased, but he’s an amazing colleague.
Cherington has been very busy since inking his new deal. After trading Jon Lester last season, he’s added several key pieces through trades and free agency, including Pablo Sandoval, Hanley Ramirez, Justin Masterson and Rick Porcello.
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As we now know, those moves had the full support of Red Sox brass, as Cherington had obviously already earned their trust. Moving forward though, it will be all about results for both of Boston’s leaders.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
