Farrell-Anthopoulos Rift: A Boston Media Fabrication?

September 18, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos speaks during a press conference addressing offensive comments written on the eye black of infielder Yunel Escobar (not pictured) before a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-US PRESSWIREThere is perhaps no greater certainty in sports today than the fact that the Boston Red Sox will be contacting the Toronto Blue Jays to feel out their demands in exchange for manager John Farrell. The Red Sox, the Boston media, and the fan base all covet having Farrell back at Fenway Park. The only remaining question is how much will the Blue Jays ask for in return.

So does it comes as much of a surprise that the Boston media would want to drum up a story about contention between John Farrell and Alex Anthopoulos?

Well, that is exactly what happened when Jen Royle, a Boston reporter working for SB Nation Boston, took to Twitter on Sunday night with the following blurb:

Needless to say, the firestorm caused by a message held to a 140-character limit was huge. From a Twitter beat down to a call-out by one of her SB Nation colleagues, and member of our Blue Jays fraternity BlueBird Banter, Royle took it on the chin for stirring the pot with the proverbial “sources”.

Fortunately, the Blue Jays handled it with a more level approach.

Prior to Monday’s opener against the Twins, manager John Farrell was approached about the supposed rift between he and Anthopoulos. Farrell acknowledged that the season has been difficult, but the relationship between he and Anthopoulos has not been an issue.

"“I think it’s disrespectful when someone makes a comment when they don’t truly know what’s going on inside,” Farrell said. “That’s the most disappointing thing, and I don’t know where some people come off as if they know what’s happening between Alex and I, or what we would think is happening between a manager and a GM elsewhere. That’s just irresponsible with the comments.”"

Farrell then elaborated that any tensions between the two are common for a manager and a general manager that have had to make as many roster adjustments as the Blue Jays have. Injuries and the lack of winning can tax any relationship.

"“Alex and I have dealt with a lot of challenges this year, documented by the changes on our roster, we’ve had 54 different players come here,” Farrell said. “The fact that there’s that much change and that many challenges to respond to, our communication is frequent, even in the times we’ve scuffled, you have those conversations where things aren’t always pleasant, based on the won-loss record at the time.”"

As far as the Blue Jays are concerned, any issues drummed up at this point of the season, whether it be between the front office and the manager or the manager and the players, is unfounded. Whether they opt to entertain moving Farrell is up to them, but these reports will have no bearing on the price they place on such a deal.