Per Rob Bradford on WEEI.com, Tim Bogar is a candidate to be the Houston Astros' new manager, and will soon interview for the position. Bogar has been with the Red Sox since the 2009 season, moving from a disastrous third base coach to the bench this year, all the while tabbed as a future managerial candidate.
On the surface this doesn't seem like too big of a deal. Bogar hasn't got the job yet, after all, and even if he does, all te Sox lose is a bench coach. But to me it's the sound of a managerial warning siren, because if Tim Bogar is interviewing for the Astros job, that suggests to me he's not expecting to take over the helm for the Red Sox in 2013.
Largely that just serves to confirm previous reports that the Red Sox have John Farrell tabbed as their #1 choice headed into the offseason, but that doesn't make the idea any less disturbing. We've been over why the team's obsession with the man is a bit baffling already. Even one of Farrell's best qualities--his familiarity with the team and the respect he has earned--is two years (and most of the roster) out of date compared to Bogar, who was one of the more respected members of staff this season.
But what really concerns me is how this would effect the leverage in the situation. If the Sox are going to get Farrell, it's clear they're going to have to trade for him. Whatever the price turns out to be, the Sox will be under more pressure to sign him if they lose their safety net in Bogar. If I'm the Jays, this drives my price up, and if I'm a Red Sox front office so set on Farrell, it makes me more likely to pay that price.
Of course, if Bogar doesn't go, then we're largely back to square one. But even if that safety net remains, the simple fact that he's interviewing adds more evidence that the team's agenda is set on a road best-not-traveled rather than the similarly qualified, cheaper option they have right now
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