John Farrell is officially Jays' new manager

[Halladay_is_God]

Jays name Farrell as team's 12th manager

TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays named John Farrell their new manager Monday, handing over a young team to a man with a strong and wide-ranging resume but one without any previous managerial experience.

The 48-year-old's hiring brings to a close a thorough, exhaustive search that began in August with GM Alex Anthopoulos and his staff combing through all 30 organizations to examine prospective candidates.

They ended up settling on Farrell, the Red Sox's pitching coach since 2007 who was very well thought of in Boston and had been widely viewed as the heir apparent to manager Terry Francona.

[love_that_reefer]

I was really hoping Alomar Jr was going to get it.

[Tobywan]

Glad they didnt give Davey Martinez a second interview.

[Providence A's]

Eh, not too sure about this, but good for Farrell I suppose.

[Halladay_is_God]

its official

Jays name Farrell as team's 12th manager

[Foster]

I am ok with this.

[Impossibles]

Well you can tell Farrell knows his baseball and isn't old school. He sounds like a GM when he talks. The question will be how he is as a motivator. I think that's the difference between good managers and bad managers, most of the decisions are pretty basic, but being able to get the most out of players is the difference. That's where Gibbons failed, and I think Don Wakamatsu as well.

[ljshorty89]

Intriguing selection. I have to think one of the factors, in addition to how well thought of Farrell was, is his knowledge of the AL East. I mean, having spent 4 years with the Red Sox and having coached against the Yankees (two of the big three speedbumps in the division) would have to be somewhat helpful.

[Halladay_is_God]

during the PC they did mention that was a factor

[ljshorty89]

It's gotta be helpful, along with knowing what the atmosphere of one of those "we should win every year" teams is like. If I were a Blue Jays fan, I'd be intrigued, and in a good way. What's the general consensus among Jays fans, HiG?

[Halladay_is_God]

so far a pretty good reaction, only "concern" i read is that is what can Ferrall do to fix the offense since pitching isn't a big concern with the starters as they are now and how Bruce Walton did an excellent job with the staff

[ljshorty89]

That's a good point. Has there been any word or speculation on who his coaching staff might be?

[love_that_reefer]

Blue Jays should bring in Olerud and Molitor

[ljshorty89]

I feel like Olerud would be a good coach. One of my favorite Mets when I first got into baseball. Always professional.

[love_that_reefer]

They both would be great coaches in my opinion. Better than Devon White and Kelly Gruber