Farrell will benefit from Valentine's 2012 fiasco
By JIMMY GOLEN, Associated Press
Oct 21, 2012 11:45 AM CDT
FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2012, file photo, Toronto Blue Jays manager John Farrell sits in the dugout before the Blue Jays' baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Boston. The Red Sox reportedly have reached an agreement to bring Farrell to Boston to replace Bobby Valentine. Red Sox spokeswoman Pam...   (Associated Press)

When John Farrell is announced as the new manager of the Boston Red Sox, he will take over a last-place team reeling from 13 months of player revolt.

He has Bobby Valentine to thank for that.

Valentine didn't accomplish much in his 10 months as Red Sox manager, but he certainly made it easier for his successor. Instead of taking over for two-time World Series champion Terry Francona, Farrell inherits a team with nowhere to go but up.

The Red Sox have agreed to terms with Farrell on a three-year deal to leave Toronto to take over as manager in Boston. The Red Sox will send infielder Mike Aviles to the Blue Jays as compensation, according to a baseball official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced.

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