The Red Sox got their man. Former Blue Jays manager and Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell was the man that the front office wanted to hire before Bobby Valentine was hired last year. At the time, the Blue Jays were unwilling to let Farrell go, so the Red Sox went another direction. One year after one of the worst managerial hires in Red Sox history (Joe Kerrigan still overrules all), and one of the worst seasons in Red Sox history (the last time the Red Sox lost more than 93 games was in 1965), the Red Sox hired the man labeled an heir to Terry Francona just a couple years ago.

While I personally endorsed former MLB catcher Brad Ausmus, who reportedly finished second to Farrell in the search for the Red Sox managerial position, Farrell was the only other candidate that I felt was right to lead the Red Sox out of the ruins. Farrell not only has extensive knowledge of the pitching staff, having spent 2006 through 2010 in the organization, but is also an incredibly smart baseball man. He spent 2001 through 2006 as the Director of Player Development of the Cleveland Indians.

As an individual who has experienced the pressures of Boston already, Farrell knows what he is getting into and believes that he is the right person to lead the Red Sox for at least the duration of his three year contract.

“Most importantly, because I have been here before, there will be no taking for granted that relationships exist. I will work my butt off to earn their trust, earn their respect and create an environment in the clubhouse that is just that — it’s a trusting one, it will be a learning one and yes, it will be a competitive one and hopefully a very successful one at the same time,’’ Farrell told Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. “So, if that’s being described as a players’ manager, then maybe that’s what I am. That’s still forming, I’m still learning.’’

With Farrell, there is no concern as to whether he is going to say something outrageous and out of the blue like there was with Bobby Valentine. Farrell is Francona 2.0.: a smart, understated baseball manager who takes care of his players and holds their respect.

The sense around the Red Sox is that Farrell already holds the respect of the clubhouse. This is evident from Jon Lester’s quotes to the Boston Herald’s John Tomase.

“You know he’s not just BS-ing you because you’re a baseball player playing for the Red Sox,” Lester said. “He doesn’t tell you what you want to hear. For a lack of a better term, you get your butt powdered a lot as a baseball player. To have a guy you know you’re going to get the truth from, that makes my job alot easier. You don’t have to worry about deciphering the BS or rooting around to get the answer. I know he’s going to be honest from day one and I know what I’m going to get from him.”

Lester is giving Valentine a backhanded slap in the process of praising Farrell, but the respect for Farrell clearly shines through.

We won’t know until at least a year down the road whether Farrell was the right choice to manage the Red Sox, but his instant credibility with the leaders in the clubhouse is a great start. Now all Ben Cherington has to do is sign a team behind Farrell. I recommend Torii Hunter, Mike Napoli and a trade for Josh Johnson. Then I’ll be happy.

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