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The Boston Red Sox, defeated in the American League Division Series by the Houston Astros yesterday, face many questions in their upcoming offseason, none bigger than that of their manager John Farrell.
There’s been regular season success — two consecutive AL East championships for the first time in Red Sox history — but postseason turmoil and, among it all, a sense of uncertainty in Boston.
“I think John did a great job,” Dustin Pedroia told Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports. “We won the division. There was never any quit in this team. I’m proud of everybody in here. We dealt with a lot. And our fight continued every single day. I know we didn’t achieve our goals, but I’m proud of how everybody went about their business and showed up for everybody and played to win.”
Elsewhere in on the east coast, the New York Yankees face similar questions — for more clear reasons — with Joe Girardi. Girardi, widely considered a talented manager, was even involved in AL Manager of the Year talks as the regular season came to a close.
Then came game two of the ALDS against Cleveland, where Girardi failed to challenge a hit-by-pitch call that led to a massive rally by Cleveland and disastrous collapse by New York. Now, the manager whose job was once considered one of the most secure in all of baseball is on the hot seat.
“I’ve never worried about my future,” Girardi said to Mike Fitzpatrick of AP Sports. “I worry about other peoples’ future, but not my own. Whatever happens, happens. I think an organization has to do what they’re comfortable with, right? And it may not always agree with the person that is either being fired or however it goes. Whatever their decision is, I’ll live with.”
Girardi, potentially costing the Yankees a victory against Cleveland after winning games three and four of the series, was met with boos at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
Here's the crowd reaction for Joe Girardi's introduction. Mostly boos pic.twitter.com/7GtrcQVTO1
— Tom Scibelli (@TomScibelli) October 8, 2017
Girardi’s contract expires at the end of this season, and the cross-town rival Mets are considering Girardi for their open managerial position, the New York Post reports.
For the Toronto Blue Jays, next season’s coaching staff is already set, with all of the 2016 staff returning. General manager Ross Atkins expressed confidence in John Gibbons, whose contract runs through 2019 with an option for 2020.