John Farrell press conference ushers in a new Boston Red Sox era, with a focus on mutual trust

The new manager says communication must be maintained on a constant basis

BOSTON - The Red Sox are entering a new phase, one its new manager said will require him not so much to renew old acquaintances as to build new relationships and maintain them.

John Farrell said "we're eager to hit the ground running,'' and went on to suggest his ballclub will feature a more aggressive, exciting offense but rely on solid starting pitching.

With a noon press conference at Fenway Park, the Red Sox introduced their former pitching coach as their new field general. The choice has been hailed by almost all of the veterans who were in Boston when Farrell worked on Terry Francona's staff from 2007 through 2010.

To Farrell, the relationships must again be built and maintained. Much of the responsibility for that, he said, will come from his end.

He steered clear of whatever divisions existed between the players and Bobby Valentine, who was fired after one season.

"I firmly believe there is an amount of professionalism with every player who comes to this organization,'' Farrell said.

"But there will be no taking for granted that relationships exist. I will work my butt off to earn their trust.

"If that's what is being described as a player's manager, that's what I am.

"I can't speak to the way the Red Sox clubhouse was last year. (But) trust is important and can be very fragile, and it must be maintained.

"If you treat the players like men, I believe it will come back to you tenfold. It won't always be rosy; there will be tough conversations.''

Farrell left no doubt he is thrilled for the opportunity, which remained in doubt until the Toronto Blue Jays allowed him to escape a contract that had him signed with the Jays through 2013.

"This is an incredible privilege to be standing here today. To be added to the 45 other (Red Sox) managers that have gone before me speaks to the history of this organization,'' said Farrell, 50.

"To me it means an (organization that is) first class, professional and ultimately successful.

Farrell said he was inspired by the challenge.

"They will get 100 percent (from him) every single day, to create an atmosphere that is not only professional but winning,'' Farrell said.

Farrell called his two years as Toronto's manager "invaluable experience.'' He said he was far more prepared for the Red Sox job than he was in 2010, when he left his job as Boston pitching coach to take over the Blue Jays.

Boston, he said, is "the epicenter of the game.''

Offensively, he predicted an up-tempo, aggressive style of play "from the mound, on the bases and in the batter's box.

"It will certainly take into account (the nature of) our roster. That's a given.''

His first task will be to assemble a coaching staff. Randy Niemann finished the season as Valentine's pitching coach, but it looks certain Farrell will bring in his own man.

He will be given the opportunity to develop a staff to his liking, an advantage Valentine was not afforded when he was expected to inherit several holdovers.

That led to problems, friction and miscommunication all year. Farrell and the Red Sox intend to avoid that.

"We do have a lot of things to take care of. First is the staff; that's ongoing,'' he said.

Farrell envisions a staff he called "credible,'' with experiences drawn from many sources.

"We'll work together, but he's got to get the people he wants,'' Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said.

Cherington called Farrell "the right man for the job,'' with emphasis for effect on the word "the.''

Left out of the final decision process on Valentine, Cherington has been supporting Farrell's candidacy.

Red Sox owners agreed, but Cherington was given much more voice this time.

"I've known John since 2002,'' Cherington said.

"His integrity, leadership skills and intelligence are second to none. His broad set of experiences also allow him to develop relationships over a broad spectrum.''

Cherington praised Tim Wallach, Tony Pena, Brad Ausmus and DeMarlo Hale, who also interviewed for the job - even though Farrell's name was always first on Boston's list.

"We had extremely impressive group of candidates and interviews. All of those gentleman are highly qualified, and will be excellent major league managers,'' Cherington said.

The GM also praised Toronto president Paul Beeston for what he called "a professional'' way of handling a "challenging'' situation.''

Farrell clearly looks at communication as a two-way street that can be done without losing authority. He says it will instead promote mutual respect.

"You must communicate with the players consistently, and they must be accountable,'' he said.

At the same time, they have to have a voice in this. That's not to say there must not be a leader, or a rudder of the ship, but this must be a place they want to come to play.''

In Toronto, Farrell's name is mud. He is being blamed for reneging on his promise to manage the Jays through 2013.

"The reactions they have to this, I appreciate that. That means there is passion and a fan base,'' Farrell said diplomatically.

"But I would take exception to suggestion there was no interest in fulfilling my contract.

Farrell said the first discussions with Toronto management came last year. His departure was denied at that time, but he said "he cut his teeth'' in Boston, and that ultimately the two AL East.

Farrell's two years in Toronto saw 107 players appear for the Blue Jays. He acknowledged that constant change, which also occurred with the Red Sox lineup, can make success elusive.

With the Blue Jays, Farrell tried to develop a running game that ran contrary to the team's tradition of power. He said that caused the Jays to run into outs, but he still likes the style and indicated the Red Sox will incorporate some of the same skills.

He said starting pitching would be the core of the team, as it is with any teams that succeed in postseason - which is how the new manager said the Red Sox will be judged.

"You can't emphasize enough the importance of the starting rotation,'' he said, and predicted Boston would have a strong one.

Farrell said Red Sox owners asked him a question commonly heard on the street. With all the problems facing this team and its roster, and on the heels of a 69-93 season that was Boston's worst in 47 years, why would he want this?

"I'd love to take on the challenge. Without the challenges, I probably wouldn't be sitting here,'' Farrell said.

He believes a core group of talent gives this team a good chance to scramble back into contention. Better team health and a few key acquisitions will help, he said.

Having endured an uneasy forced marriage with Valentine, Cherington sounded at ease with Farrell.

"It's important you can have a relationship with a manager with whom you can disagree, and have candid discussion, and walk away feeling the relationsip intact. I feel I have that feeling with John,'' Cherington said.

Farrell was 154-170 in two years as Toronto's manager. His eagerness to return to Boston meant the Blue Jays had to release him from the final year of his contract.

They did so, however grudgingly and only with Red Sox shortstop Mike Aviles as compensation.

Farrell has briefly text-messaged Daniel Bard, a pitcher who flourished under Farrell's watch but has faltered badly thereafter. He has spoken with David Ortiz and received congratulatory messages from other veterans who remember him from his previous days in Boston.

Farrell emphasized that the pitching coach, who is not yet named, will have authority that will not be circumvented by going directly to the manager..