If current Toronto Blue Jays manager John Farrell is going to be in the dugout of the Boston Red Sox or any other team in Major League Baseball next season, he isn't tipping his hand as baseball's offseason draws closer.
Farrell joined Power Alley with Kevin Kennedy and Jody McDonald on MLB Radio and was adamant that he remains a member of the team he guided to a 73-89 record in his second season at the helm.
"I am the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays," said Farrell on MLB Radio. "That's where I've been for the last two years, that's where I currently am."
Even before the Boston Red Sox fired first-year manager Bobby Valentine at the conclusion of the 2012 season, speculation was that the 50-year-old native of Monmouth Beach, New Jersey was at the top of their list to take over the reins of the team.
Farrell, who has one year left in his contract with the Blue Jays, served as pitching coach for the Red Sox from 2007 to 2010 before being hired to his first managerial job in Toronto.
"This speculation started to rear its head again in the final two months of the season," said Farrell. "I can tell you this, in my conversations with (Jays GM) Alex (Anthopoulos), this hasn't distracted me in my job and what the commitment there is."
As for the open position with his former team, Farrell is aware of the search but is not currently an active participant.
"It's obvious that there is a vacancy to fill there, and they're going about their interview process as it is with a couple of guys coming in there today and tomorrow I guess," said Farrell. "Nothing has been communicated directly to me. If the Red Sox have contacted Alex, I'm unaware of that. Where it stands is what I said, manager of the Toronto Blue Jays."
Over his first two seasons as bench boss, Farrell has amassed a 154-170 record and says that he is content in the current situation.
"I'm extremely challenged, happy as manager of the Blue Jays," said Farrell.
