Bobby Valentine is expected to be hired as the next manager of the Boston Red Sox, according to reports by ESPN Boston and numerous other media outlets. Valentine will leave his current position with ESPN to become the 45th Red Sox manager.
Last week the Boston front office team cut their list to two contenders for the manager position, which was left vacant after the resignation of Terry Francona. Gene Lamont was a finalist and now appears to be out of contention, but as of Tuesday night he could not confirm that.
Valentine was a late addition to the two-month search. The former manager of the Texas Rangers, New York Mets and the Ciba Lotte Marines of the Japanese Pacific League, Valentine was considered to be the favorite of Red Sox president Larry Lucchino. General manager Ben Cherington may have preferred Lamont or other candidates.
Valentine hasn’t coached a Major League team since 2002 and joined the ESPN broadcast team after his second coaching stint in Japan ended in 2009. His MLB record as a manager is 581-605 over 15 seasons.
Speculation of Valentine’s candidacy grew over recent weeks as rumors surfaced of initial phone conversations between Valentine and the team’s management. Official talks were on hold until Cherington returned from the Dominican Republic. They meet for an interview on November 21. While Lucchino and Cherington were working on a decision, Valentine has been on a charity trip in Japan.
Boston has already lost Jonathan Papelbon to free agency. Four more of their World Series winners are on the free agent market, along with quality replacements. With the manager decision soon to be set, they can begin to focus more on other off-season priorities.
Valentine is expected to return to Boston to work out a contract as soon as possible. A press conference is likely to take place at Fenway Park on Thursday.
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