Farrell to Blue Jays not a done deal: source

Industry chatter pegged Boston Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell as the next manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, although a source said Thursday evening that the other three finalists had yet to be informed that is the case.

Hall of Fame reporter Peter Gammons of MLB Network and MLB.com said in a Twitter post that "three GMs today insisted John Farrell will get the Toronto job."

Sources suggested earlier in the week that a decision on the retired Cito Gaston's replacement could come by week's end in order to give the successful candidate time to build his coaching staff ahead of a possible announcement next week.

During a brief interview earlier in the day, Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos remained as tight-lipped as ever about the process, offering up the generic, "I don't really have a whole lot to say, we're continuing to go through the process and work through it" as his only comment.

One source with knowledge of the process said Farrell may very well be the next manager but it was his understanding that the other three finalists, Red Sox bench coach DeMarlo Hale, Indians first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr., and Blue Jays third base coach Brian Butterfield, had yet to hear from that Anthopoulos.

If it is Farrell, however, the move makes sense in many ways for the Blue Jays.

As Boston's pitching coach since 2007, he is well positioned to help groom and handle perhaps the organization's most important asset, its young hurlers.

Prior to joining the Red Sox, the 48-year-old spent five years as director of player development for the Cleveland Indians, which would include a year of crossover in 2002 with Tony LaCava, now the Blue Jays' assistant GM.

That stint would seem to match up well with the importance the Blue Jays now place on drafting and developing their talent. His experience coaching within the pressure-cooker of Boston and dealing with the unique grind of competing within the American League East would no doubt help, too.

Still, there would be some risk, as Farrell has never managed before.

After eight seasons pitching in the majors — he won 14 games for the Indians in 1988 — Farrell retired after the 1996 season as the next year became assistant coach/pitching and recruiting co-ordinator at Oklahoma State University. He spent five years there before joining the Indians.

In 2002, LaCava served as a national crosschecker for the Indians.

What this could potentially mean for Butterfield, a valued member of the Blue Jays coaching staff since 2002, is unclear.

The 52-year-old is well respected by his players but is believed to have a job as third base coach with the Baltimore Orioles under close friend Buck Showalter waiting for him.

It is also believed Anthopoulos will ask the new manager to retain pitching coach Bruce Walton, who led the team through a full season without any major arm injuries.