Terry Francona, Red Sox Expected to Part Ways

Terry Francona will sit down with Boston Red Sox management today to discuss his future with the club.  It is believed that the result of this meeting will be Francona stepping down as the manager of the Red Sox.

Ken Rosenthol of FOX Sports says that, while nothing is certain, Francona and the Red Sox are likely to agree to part ways during the conference.  Francona enters the meeting with no contract for next season and is expected to be ‘pressing for a resolution’.

Rosenthol doesn’t expect Francona to be fired, but instead Boston would simply not pick up the manager’s 2012 option.

The reason any of this is even up for discussion is because of the Red Sox epic September collapse.  Under Francona’s management, Boston watched their nine game lead become reduced to zero.  Francona and the Sox ultimately missed out of the postseason following Wednesday night’s heartbreaking loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

Many believe it unfair for Francona to shoulder much of the blame for Boston’s collapse.  Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein told reporters as much yesterday, stating that ‘nobody blames what happened in September’ on Francona.  Epstein said the Red Sox ‘don’t believe in scapegoats’ and emphasized that Francona was not being held responsible.

While this might be true, upper management may decide that heads need to roll.  They could ultimately force Epstein’s hand, bringing an end to Francona’s run in Beantown.

If this split does indeed occur, the rumors involving Francona have only just begun.  With a pair of expected managerial openings in Chicago, Francona’s already being linked to the White Sox and Cubs.  Rosenthol covers all of his bases, making the point that Francona could also decide to take 2012 off.

At this point it’s unclear if Francona wants to return with the Red Sox or if he’d like to pursue other opportunities.  Whatever the case, it appears that Francona’s run in Boston is nearing its end.

For more on the Red Sox, be sure to check out BoSox Injection.