BOSTON -- Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington & Co. have interviewed four candidates for the club's vacant managerial position. Now it's time to regroup, assess and determine its next step.
A team source said management and ownership would meet Friday to evaluate the current situation.
The same team source said there was nothing new to report on Farrell, but the Red Sox were "impressed with all of the candidates interviewed" at this point.
It's no secret the Red Sox have longed to have Farrell as their manager in Boston. He was once thought to be the guy to eventually replace Terry Francona. In a roundabout way that could still happen, as the Red Sox and Blue Jays attempt to figure out compensation.
A baseball source told ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes that Ausmus made an impressive presentation Wednesday, but said there has been no discussion of teaming Ausmus with Farrell.
The Red Sox attempted to acquire Farrell a year ago, but they weren't willing to surrender to Toronto's asking price of what was rumored to be pitchers Clay Buchholz and/or Daniel Bard. If the sides end up in a stalemate again this time, Boston's Plan B could be to select from one of the four the team has already interviewed.
Cherington is up front and honest. So, it wouldn't be a surprise if he has told the current candidates Plans A and B.
So who's it going to be? For now, mum's the official word. Your guess is as good as anyone's at the point.
But things could change relatively quickly, so stay tuned ...
