Report: Blue Jays Signaling Keeping John Farrell

August 8, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays manager John Farrell (52) against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIREThe Toronto Blue Jays and their fans sitting comfortably in their homes, watching the playoffs unfold yet again without them in it. As such, it is only natural to cling to any bit of news or speculation that scratches on what the both parties can expect in 2013.

One of those hot topics will revolve around the status of manager John Farrell. Despite having one season remaining on his contract with Toronto, Farrell is incessantly linked to the Boston Red Sox, where he served as pitching coach for three seasons before joining the Blue Jays. The Red Sox have a coaching vacancy after firing Bobby Valentine following their worst season in over 40 years and they have made no bones about Farrell being their desired candidate to fill the void.

Reports earlier in the week suggested that the Blue Jays would not stand in Boston’s way as long as they were justly compensated, which after the Theo Epstein debacle last season, it is hard to determine what “justly” can be quantified as.

However, CBS Sports Jon Heyman wrote earlier today that the Blue Jays are making it known to baseball insiders and the local media that they have no intention of allowing Farrell out of his contract in order to go back to Boston.

"“Everyone knows our policies,” Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos texted."

Should Boston be denied the ability to hire Farrell, they will surely turn their attention to Blue Jays first base coach Torey Luvullo, another man who has Red Sox roots after he managed the team’s Triple-A affiliate, Pawtucket. The Blue Jays policy of not allowing personnel to leave for parallel moves would not stand in the way of Boston looking at Luvullo. It will also prevent Toronto from getting any compensation in return for letting Luvullo go, which in and of itself may be tempting enough for the Blue Jays to at least consider letting Farrell talk to the Red Sox.

Still, there is a long October ahead of us, and it is doubtful that any move will be made prior to the end of the postseason. Until then, any reports, no matter the source, will remain speculation in the books of Blue Jays fans.