Terry Francona Replacement: 5 Managers Who Could Save the Red Sox in 2012

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It turns out leading your team to one of the worst collapses in baseball history can lead to you losing your job, after all. John Heyman of Sports Illustrated is reporting that the Red Sox will announce later today that Terry Francona will be fired after eight seasons as the Red Sox skipper. 

Francona brought two World Series titles to a town that was desperate for a championship, and now he’s being shown the door after a season where his team won 90 games and actually improved upon their win total from a year ago.

The Red Sox organization is reeling after finishing 7-20 in September and looking for a savior in one of the most baseball-obsessed towns in the nation. Who can save them?

Here are five possible replacements...

5. Pete Mackanin

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Mackanin's name originated from Buster Olney, so there really isn't any concrete evidence to suggest the Red Sox are considering him.

He's currently the bench coach for the Phillies, but was once one of the most respected people in the Cincinnati Reds organization.

He even managed the team briefly in 2007, with surprisingly successful results on a flawed team. 

He's going to get a job somewhere.  Is Boston the place?

4. Bobby Valentine

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Valentine's name seems to come up with every open position in Major League Baseball, but he's an especially intriuging candidate here considering he already has experience managing in a big market.

Valentine has a career 1117-1072 record.

 

3. Ron Gardenhire

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Gardenhire hasn't been mentioned by anyone else yet but I could see this being a natural move from someone that has flourished in the small market setting. 

Gardenhire has consistently kept the Twins competitive - with this year as an exception of course - and he could find himself looking for work after the Twins horrendous 2011 campaign.

Gardenhire has an astounding 866-755 career record in ten seasons with the small market Twins.

2. Joe Torre

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Could Joe Torre be willing to take the Red Sox - Yankee rivalry to a new level?

How would Yankee fans feel to see Torre in the visiting dugout as the manager of the Boston Red Sox?

1. Curt Schilling

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There's no denying that Curt Schilling knows the game of baseball.  He obviously has an intense passion for the game, and he knows the Boston roster better than anyone else.

Schilling will be a manager someday, what better place than Boston?

Any other suggestions? Comment below!

 

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