Jays amend policy to prevent Sox from talking to Farrell

Blue Jays' president Paul Beeston responded quickly to the controversy surrounding the Red Sox rumoured pursuit of Jays manager John Farrell.

Te club issued a statement on Tuesday morning that reads:

“Due to the distraction caused by media speculation regarding our employee permission policy, the Toronto Blue Jays have amended their policy and will not grant permission for lateral moves.”

The Red Sox, who have been without a manager since the departure of Terry Francona at the start of the current post-season, had been rumoured to be interested in re-hiring Farrell who had acted as their pitching coach from 2007-10, including a World Series championship over the Rockies in '07.

This announcement by the Jays prevents the Red Sox from continuing any pursuit of Farrell as this would clearly qualify as a "lateral move."

Comments

[Marc]

I think it could be seen as a downward move rather than lateral, given all that's going on in Red Sox land...

[Gord]

Good. Enough of playing the "good guy"...let's be more cutthroat boys.