"After taking time to reflect on Tito's sentiments, we agreed that it was best for the Red Sox not to exercise the option years on his contract."
Francona had team options for 2012 (for $4.25 million) and 2013 ($4.5 million), with $750,000 buyouts for each.
As Boston couldn't lift itself up from its doldrums, word spread throughout the baseball industry of Francona's dissatisfaction with his players, and of ownership's unhappiness with Francona and his coaches.
"Nobody at the Red Sox blames Tito for what happened at the end of this season; we own that as an organization," general manager Theo Epstein said in a statement. Given the context of Francona's departure, the Red Sox probably will go outside the organization for a replacement.
Francona joined the Red Sox in 2004, after Grady Little was let go following Boston's infamous 2003 American League Championship Series loss to the Yankees, and in his first year, he led the club to its first World Series title since 1918, overcoming an 0-3 ALCS deficit to the Yankees to get there. When the Red Sox ownership/management group arrived at Fenway Park on Friday morning, all they wanted was to get a feel for what Terry Francona was thinking. The ownership group – Werner, John Henry, Larry Lucchino – was shocked.
“I’d been talking to Theo (Epstein, the general manager who was also at the meeting) probably more than people realize,” said Francona, who won 744 games and two championships during his eight-year tenure. Francona said he wasn’t reaching players he’d reached before, and he didn’t know why. Next for the Sox is a managerial search. Francona gave bench coach DeMarlo Hale a rousing endorsement.
The Terry Francona era is over in Boston.
The Red Sox announced Friday they will not pick up the option on Francona's contract for a ninth year in the wake of the team's September collapse, in which they blew a nine-game lead in the AL wild-card race.
Owners John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino acknowledged a change was needed and thanked Francona, who led the franchise to titles in 2004 and 2007. I was questioning that a little bit."
Francona said he wants to stay in the game. Francona said he supports his bench coach, DeMarlo Hale, to replace him.
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