http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp...tebook_id=16703348&vkey=notebook_bos&c_id=bos
02/22/11 3:15 PM EST
Red Sox reportedly to pick up Francona's option
By Evan Drellich / MLB.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Not thought to be in peril when it comes to his job security, manager Terry Francona will have his contract extended when this season ends, according to an Internet report.
Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman said via Twitter that Francona's two-year option at $4.5 million per year would be activated after this season. The Red Sox have not commented on the report, and Francona told Heyman he was unaware of the decision.
General manager Theo Epstein's own deal is reported to expire after the 2011 season, though team owner John Henry said earlier in the week he didn't know when Epstein's contract was up.
It would be hard to imagine either the manager, who took over after the 2003 season, or general manager, who is entering his ninth season in the position, leaving since they've worked together superbly.
"The biggest way you can judge it is that we're going on our eighth year now in a really crazy place, and if you didn't have an extremely strong relationship, you'd have no chance in this market," Francona said after the club's workout Tuesday. "There's a lot of trust."
Of course, the two have had, and will continue to have, their disagreements. Francona said he has gone to Epstein and asked specifically for help, the rushing of Cla Meredith in 2005 being the oft-cited example -- but one has to believe it happens more than that.
"We have our moments. You're supposed to," Francona said. "I don't think he'd want to have somebody be the manager and not have a strong opinion, and I value his opinion a lot. He knows that. I also know when the chips are down in the really tough times, I know where I can turn."
Francona has a good perspective on his role compared to Epstein's. "I've learned a lot," Francona said. "
Being a manager, you're worried about today. Being the general manager, you've got to be a little bit more of a caretaker of the organization. I've learned to respect that a little bit more. Opening Day is not the end of the world."