Farrell Strikes Again, Taking Brian Butterfield to Boston

September 13, 2011; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third base coach Brian Butterfield (right) congratulates catcher J.P. Arencibia (9) after hitting a home run during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-US PRESSWIRESomehow, I have this image of the Larry Lucchino and John Henry riding on horseback through the village of Toronto pillaging and burning the place down in their wake.

First it was John Farrell, who Boston was kind enough to send Mike Aviles in exchange for. Then it was Torey Luvullo, the Blue Jays first base coach that followed Farrell in order to become the bench coach of the Red Sox.

Now, the Red Sox have completed their trifecta, today naming Brian Butterfield as their third base coach for next season.

Butterfield was the third base coach in Toronto for the past three seasons, first under Cito Gaston and then under John Farrell. The Bangor, ME native and had been with the Blue Jays organization since 2002, earning tremendous praise as an infield instructor and bench coach during his tenure in Toronto.

Butterfield was a finalist for the Blue Jays managerial job in 2010, prior to Farrell’s hiring but had not been mentioned for the position this time around, perhaps because Alex Anthopoulos already knew his intentions to move on. The Blue Jays have confirmed intentions to talk with both Matt Williams and Tim Wallach for the position.