Murray: Why Extend John Farrell Now?
BOSTON (CBS) - 98.5 The Sports Hub's Joe Murray and Marshall Hook filled in for Adam Jones and Rich Keefe Wednesday night, and during the show they spent some time discussing Red Sox manager John Farrell, and the CSNNE report that states the team is in preliminary discussions to extend his contract.
Entering his third year at the helm, it's been a mixed bag for Farrell. The skipper was able to bring a championship to Boston in 2013, but quickly fell down the AL East standings in 2014, finishing dead last with a 71-91 record.
Even though the Red Sox faltered last season coming off a World Series win, Ian Browne of MLB.com likes the overall idea of the contract extension.
"The Red Sox are showing their faith in John Farrell and that they haven't given up on him after one bad year," Browne told Murray and Hook. "Why have the distraction of an option year hanging over Farrell's head when you can just give him some security and show him that he's the guy going forward?"
It's a general rule of thumb that, as an organization, you don't want your head coach in a "lame duck" year. But this technically isn't a lame duck year, because the three-year contract he signed in November 2012 includes a team option for 2016.
With that being said, Joe Murray is not on board with the latest news.
"He's going to manage this year, and then pick up the option next year, and then you re-evaluate the situation," Murray said. "I don't understand extending Farrell right now just so the players believe in him."
Do you agree with Murray's take?
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