The Boston Red Sox plan to fire first-year manager Bobby Valentine shortly after the season ends.
The actual timing of Valentine’s dismissal is unknown, and the team could even give him a chance to explain the Sox’s poor performance this season, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports,
Under Valentine, Boston has gone 69-92 for their worst year since 1966 when the team went 72-90. Boston also set a team record using 56 players this season due to injuries and lackluster play.
The Red Sox also unloaded many of its most expensive contracts to the Los Angeles Dodgers, with first baseman and perennial all-star Adrian Gonzalez the main piece in August's blockbuster trade.
The often tongue-in-cheek and confrontational Valentine has a habit of calling out his players, and made a mistake that shifted the team and fan base against him when he criticized beloved Kevin Youkilis to start the season.
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Eventually Youkilis was shipped out, but Valentine’s relationship with the rest of the team quickly soured. Star second baseman Dustin Pedroia defended Youkilis publicly, and then rumors surfaced about the team’s lack of trust or faith in Valentine.
Red Sox officials later called a meeting with the entire team to air out any grievances they may have had with their manager, but it proved to have no effect and Boston kept tumbling to the bottom of the American League East.
Valentine signed a two-year contract this spring, and has one year remaining on the deal.
Wednesday night could be his final game as Boston’s manager, as the Red Sox hope to foil the rival New York Yankees' run at a division crown.
