Red Sox manager John Farrell on the Sox offseason, assembling a staff

Back on the hot stove here 937 W yeah rob Bradford -- and him we're joined now by the manager of the Boston Red Sox John -- on this -- and Robin. Boston -- -- There are very very good I tell you what John I drive down route one concise and and the last month has been assigned not a restaurant. -- this says free wings to anybody. Named John Farrell so my question is have you had any -- winnings in the last month. I I got my routes -- from Logan straight. Straight away so I haven't been in over August 4 if Amanda might pick him up on a freebie. Well it -- it in terms of how busy you have been -- and the dynamic of what you've been doing and going back and forth. What what has been taking up most -- time I know that you've been going through coaching interviews in and and looking at and helping against the front office of looking at free agents but what would you say has taken the majority of your time. Know -- you hit onto the main components over the past month that we but it crossing and that is going our coaching staff which. Obviously Marty Biron being the most recent additions to a what we still have a couple more interviews for hitting coach position but. So when you think about. Constructing a new stats in the amount calls that go in the background checks and recommendations. On a number of candidates we've had for each of the positions we've been -- before. It's dominated quite a bit of time in and out of sort deep into the free agencies and -- the the market this story could take shape a little bit we went through two and a half days of planning meetings two weeks ago so that's a lot of follow up calls so. Again when you're targeting certain individuals so spots need. There's a lot of time on a lot of dialogue with them might Allard Baird and number got opera so oh. -- starting to take shape and come -- a life. John how close -- I guess have two questions here how close he did to naming their hiring hitting instructor is a going to be one guy errors are gonna be two guys you. The -- figure that out yet. -- -- Intense and and coming from the last two years of seeing the volley or -- hitting instructor. And -- while I was here you know -- -- you know Guerrero. And other help from the war that is. Whether or the work which all four for Friday hitting instructor can be overwhelming at times it would consider the amount of video work -- done in preparation for your starter on a night. I really feel like in the necessity for two guys. I exists and will likely go concept so. -- -- we've got Greg Greg cauldron has been has been publicized comments Saturday so it's certainly within four. An interview. And outside of Rodriguez got a good job was marketing coordinator so. I think that -- started to define itself a little more and and hopefully in time. We got got our opposition field. That process -- -- -- Saturday for -- monkeys have now. I guess my question is who was in the room and you're talking to him in just kinda give the -- years from an idea of some of the stuff you guys -- talk about over the the few hours. Well. It's Canada comes in and -- with a number of people -- the majority of time from if there's not been an extensive relationship with. With one candidate field from either playing days coaching days whoever might have been so a feel for how to handle different situations whether. -- we're a veteran -- are dealing with a young hitter that's. Transition -- big leagues and expect to struggle how they go about handling those situations. It's more about getting an understanding where -- their thought process because he twelve attendance -- -- having org -- -- to a pretty extensive screening in terms of in some cases how how in depth was a big league playing career order -- in general. Where they've been of late in what -- -- been in. But I think to have the one thing that the finance system allows us to do is. Compliment of talents of the individuals knowing that. They're gonna have very. Some similarity and some consistency. In her overall approach to each sitting the last thing that we're looking to do was -- -- with. A different messages given to that individual. Hitter. What. City what -- we'll go through some video review just to get a feel for their ability to break down -- different hitters. And then he'll be out there and Mike and others are in the from opposite -- also typically it's about five all process will feature Canada. When you're looking at some of the guys free agency you guys have been linked to him and you're looking at. Filling out some of the positions that you need how much are you prioritizing. Getting back to the approach of of waiting out pitch at bats waiting out pitchers I'm seeing more pitches. Because clearly it was something that was it was an issue and it wasn't because of -- hitting coach because the hitting coach. Had one of the best the track records in terms of getting that type of production out of the lineup to how much are you looking at those type of players and prioritizing that. There are part rob and I think of one thing that you raises the ongoing debate I can you teach that grinding approach. I can you instill that in hitters at the big league level or have they -- a track record that throughout the minor league career ultimately get completely. I think hitters continually fall and you know what we got a young hitter that has had very good success in the minor leagues. I think when they get to the big league level and they meet those initial challenges they might expand the strikes or times. Over time they usually settle back into other performance level all levels of the minor -- so when you're looking at a young player. And you have to continually. Reinforce that overall -- they're working counts and understanding the strike zone battling with two strikes working he counsels the idea of forcing a starting pitcher not only elevate the discomfort are you get to that middle relief group. Sometime in the sixth or seventh inning and that's why a lot of games are won and loss. Red Sox manager John -- join mr. in the hot stove show on 937 jumped curious if you talked -- last couple weeks to Alfredo service at all about last year in if you have. Are you confident that he's going to be emotionally ready here to come to this 2013 season with bought -- -- Yeah Kirk we had some initial conversations they've been great he's in Mexico they're going. Messages left either way on both sides. So to sit down and outlined expectations here I know that that's been done in the past and I know that will continue to be done go forward. That this is also extremely -- pitcher that can do some very unique things from a physical standpoint. I think the one thing that we're gonna hold. Ourselves accountable to is the way we play the game the way we respect one another in our uniform. I -- not we looked each night as -- -- And could prepare anything apart or to war against. I can tell he goes against. All the were trying to put together here not volatile players. But certainly guys that play the game right away. Did you think easy pitch did you think he's a person could potentially do that means that a concern me you look at him you've seen last year and with Francona. Well you know not knowing at first and the senior and talking to others of what's taken place I think the most important thing is that. Expectations are outlined to him and and I want to beat very consistent with them and there's going to be some things that are non negotiable and oh whip. If certain situations arise you know certainly. Consequences may exist so. I. Coming in fresh guys on him being in the same uniform -- -- -- -- of -- the benefit of the doubt to the situation. -- knowing that there are some history here but I think it's important to be very candid about our. Is congratulations. Because you have been inducted Stokes off aiming for a return. Guests you're you'd barely -- cut the head -- -- -- -- forest lakes and much is not coming back. He likes to -- it just let me ask you this apparent you if you're if you're posting a hot stove show and you have stop horse on in Boston. You can ask him. Thank you very much -- did that he freaked out. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- How much that signing was about controlling the running game. And and it's something dead knows that the Red Sox wanna get better noses something that they struggled for a long time even when you're year. But how much was the -- assigning them to that that means that. Of course what we brought David include improved fourteen. It has she had -- The track record of being able throw runners out -- he has but he also brings a number of things are looking for a match. He's got leadership capabilities and qualities that fit well behind the plate in the opposition. You've shown over the course of the park or you're very good game caller get the most out of pitchers argument night. But on the bigger picture in the bigger property your race here and yes going back and looking at the last couple years here myself and our whole pitching coach. We were not very good control again and we have to become better. That will be a main point of emphasis in spring training. And looking back and and over the past couple years. Finding different ways to do just that. It will be. Not to say hotspots but. A point of emphasis as I said in spring training because the running game has come back and being employed by. Not just -- Yale explode across baseball. As homer totals have dropped. Other running game has become much more part of the game and in control -- Falls directly are on the pitchers and the catchers to control and do their job triple. You know -- -- emphasizing that aspect of the game and and I would imagine that wind when you do hit Fort Myers that you wanna hit the ground running and you want to make sure make it clear to the players into the team that. This is how we want to play in this start from day one. Is that something that that you -- start to relate to them because I I go back to. Your first here in Toronto are members in some of those games the spring training where you really were running all over the Red Sox have a time. And it was clearly a priority it from early on spring training so is that something that you want to. Gets through to them right away and make it clear that this is going to be that type team we're going to be. Robby before we get to spring training has some conversations are in place of individual players. Once are finalized coaching staff as a place where gonna meet in -- march 2 days of for our staff have to get together for the first time in many of the cases it's going to be the first time they've walked into that facility. So we'll have two days -- always. Addressing. Facility get a commercial it's starting to put together our daily work. Schedule our template -- that I don't know two -- also to address. -- their scouting system that we use. But they won gas there and I think the running game or something that you can. Create a mindset. Certainly critical look at and aggression used to but I think the one -- order clears or what we talk about playing more aggressive baseball that doesn't mean. Aren't going away from the approach at the plate of grinding out at bats working this count but. Our draw work our conditioning will be year will be you're all sorts. That aggressively trying to stop. Where is John Lackey right now in his rehab processes he Don and he's is he ready to go and how how much do you communicate with him here since since taken the job. We've had multiple conversations he's in doubt so he's working out there's eight our facility in north north -- -- were number of players worked out -- you -- you know one it will little Brooks was there as well. But he's coming out of being pitched or or live game activity in the structurally. He goes through what would be a normal offseason program. For any pitcher. Still initiatives -- -- looking at the December. And -- work. As all other pitcher no restrictions short streak as we start to ramp up. Knowledge from opened the batting practice games pitched. And I think come spring training it'll be much more clear almost. That he's ready to go right from the start here. You obviously viewed. The players and Red Sox the last couple years and one -- you get a chance to see. -- small sample sizes and then when you get -- used to probably see a little bit more with a little bit of video but now I would imagine. More than a month and that you really been able to dig in on. The video some of these guys particularly the pitchers. Is there anything that jumps out at. Both acting with regarding the you know the last here's the bars the -- Colts is any of these guys that now that you really get a chance to see them a more extensive rate. -- -- -- -- I think it had to leave it in the process blitzes he starts -- initiate the conversation again you look back on video things -- taken place. -- -- and more about the steps. Taken look at each of the -- and aunt and my conversation one year restore our centering around. What we've seen when you compared video maybe a couple of years ago the most recent here this last year. And start to build your war plan and the conversations which are your towards lap. It's it's a way -- -- can start to initiate building that relationship between guys and and he will travel the little guys that are strong programs get under way. So that when we've got -- Fort Myers it's not the first part in the water he's either talk to them are certainly not that the -- so. It allows us to just kind of get ahead of the curve a little bit. Because spring training will be key for both of those guys. And highlight those two guys in particular so there are some tangible fundamental. Adjustments that can be made. And I sort of the press conference and the still hold true that they finished the year -- They finished the your quota for the talent in order ingredients -- patient becomes successful portrait -- -- been the prior. Italian John Wooden the one year of his signing you obviously do the Google news to Google searches. And won the first ones that came up with the 1985 stories him pitching friendly park talking about his dad being legendary -- fighters. Instructor. And and so I I don't know -- thought of that conversation has come up in your relationship with them I guess he's. Pretty into the sport which as we should say is legal and ornery in Olympic sport I think in 2016 if memory serves are. Well we haven't gone -- that area just got a we've got our old fighter to prepare how to respond to you know. And this can't be understated or overstated golfers that are starting rotation has become ball was caught. It'll give us every possibility in every opportunity to expand novel into the regular season with the post season. And to get -- group on track. And have them as consistent all leverage for a night it is the main goal all -- You know John and they've fraction of the perception around here I think from most fans and media was this a guy who's gonna potentially be able to fix -- To fix Lester that it is sort of help out buckles and to be forced had success. So NEC you hire pitching coach like the Davis I think some of the also perception is. Well I think Farrell's and -- can hands on what's Nevis -- role going to be so when you're eight you know a pitching coach here from -- crew that you transition the manager. What's your relationship like with the pitching coach when you know you've worked with some of these guys before. Great question cart experience to know why are in every pitching coach candidate talked about expensively. The fact that there's history here. Back should not be turned away from but by no means is -- to say that. The position coach and you're gonna have little truth to work. They -- each candidate came in here with success and and past general career and make them all like Canada wants certainly part is just back so. Our working relationship. I look at it's somewhat. Like you got three people battling the pitching side effects myself one Jerry talk and not the case brilliant and at least. And would -- caught you get the pitching goes important social overseeing twelve guys. And -- have a -- person involved with some history. I think -- only. Enhance the conversation and an outline the work plan I think get guys back on track. You're done you're when you since you've been able to dig in on looking at a lot of guys are beyond in the organization on the team. Is there anyone who's really jumped out that might have surprised him. Exceeded your expectations. And -- on what you thought they work. Well the one got away his comeback from Tommy John surgery Junichi. To see the -- news can come back from a rehab. And seeing him live last year against us and not only their all the stuff. The power outages are all. The split finger. All the courses that apparently pushed came over from Japan. He's he's more physically mature now -- it was three or four years ago. And the fact that he's pitching with no. Probably no. Restriction mentally that he might have been feeling discomfort not on it was impressive to see the way he attacked hitters. And all the hitters that he was able to dominant arms in an -- one guy on the richest contract over the past couple years. We Estes last time your own job and you said no I'll ask you one more time. If you found Montreal's -- I look more like -- -- -- -- -- our penalties were for John thanks for taking time out Thanksgiving and join us. That's Red Sox manager John Charles Cundiff to join us on Thanksgiving weekend you're in 937 WEI hot stove show we back.