Reports: Red Sox to hire Jays manager John Farrell to replace Bobby Valentine

BOSTON – The Red Sox reportedly have reached an agreement to bring Toronto Blue Jays manager John Farrell to Boston to replace Bobby Valentine.

Red Sox spokeswoman Pam Kenn said early Sunday the team had no announcement to make. Comcast SportsNet New England reported that the deal was agreed to.

Boston had been talking to the Blue Jays about compensation for Farrell, who had one year remaining in his Toronto contract. He was 154-170 (.475 winning percentage) in two seasons with the Blue Jays following four years as Boston’s pitching coach.

The Red Sox fired Valentine the day after finishing in last place in the AL East with a 69-93 record that was the franchise’s worst since 1965.

Farrell guided the Blue Jays to a 73-89 record in 2012, good for a fourth-place finish in the American League East division standings. It was a step back from the team’s performance in 2011, when Toronto finished 81-81 in Farrell’s first season as manager.

He helped instill a more aggressive approach on the basepaths but inconsistent pitching has been an issue since he was hired. Major injuries to several starters wore down the staff in 2012 and ace Ricky Romero had an off-year.

When Boston fired Valentine reports quickly surfaced that the Red Sox were interested in seeking permission from the Blue Jays to speak to Farrell about the vacancy.

The 50-year-old native of Monmouth Beach, N.J., has a pitching background. He broke in with the Indians in 1987 and made 109 starts over eight seasons with Cleveland, California and Detroit.

He moved into the coaching ranks in 1997 with Oklahoma State University as an assistant coach and pitching/recruiting co-ordinator. He joined the Indians as director of player development in 2001.

He spent five years with Cleveland before joining the Red Sox as pitching coach in November 2006. Boston won a World Series the next year.

Farrell was named the 12th manager in Blue Jays history in October 2010.