For a time, it seemed as though Torey Lovullo was the manager in waiting for the Red Sox.
As it turns out, he'll be getting his opportunity elsewhere. Lovullo was hired Friday to manage the Arizona Diamondbacks, a baseball source confirmed, where he'll work under general manager Mike Hazen.
Lovullo was expected to be the leading candidate once Hazen, with whom he had a long working relationship, was hired by the Diamondbacks last month.
Lovullo spent the past four years as the Red Sox' bench coach. He also served as interim manager for the Sox in 2015 for approximately seven weeks when John Farrell took a medical leave to get treatment for lymphoma.
Under Lovullo's watch, the Red Sox played their best baseball of the season, going 28-20. At the end of the season, uncertain of Farrell's health going forward, the Red Sox extended Lovullo's contract with a substantial raise with the provision that he not interview for managerial openings elsewhere for a year.
Lovullo remained effectively on retainer for the Sox in 2016, continuing to serve as bench coach for the remainder of the season while providing the Sox with a trusted internal option in the event the team failed and Farrell was fired.
Once the 2016 season ended and Farrell was informed he would return for 2017 - the team has an option for 2018, too -- Lovullo's window closed.
The hiring of Hazen, however, offered him an opportunity elsewhere. The two first worked together in the Cleveland Indians organization -- for whom Lovullo managed at Single A, Double A and Triple A. When Hazen was put in charge of the Red Sox minor league system as director of player development, he hired Lovullo to manage Triple A Pawtucket in 2010.
After one season at McCoy Stadium, Lovullo went to Toronto in 2011 when Farrell was hired to manage the Blue Jays, serving as first base coach.
In turn, when Farrell returned to manage the Red Sox, he brought Lovullo back with him to serve as his bench coach.
Hazen's hiring by the Diamondbacks last month was a clear signal that Lovullo would be a leading candidate. The Diamondbacks also considered Triple A manager Phil Nevin and others, but Lovullo was the final choice by Hazen.
His departure leaves an opening on the Red Sox coaching staff.
It's possible that current third base coach and infield instructor Brian Butterfield - who has also been part of Farrell's coaching staff, either in Toronto or Boston for the past six years -- could be promoted. He served two seasons in Toronto in 2008-2009 as the Jays bench coach.
It's also possible that his reputation as one of the game's best teachers could mean the Sox and Farrell would prefer Butterfield to remain where he is.
An announcement is unlikely until next week, when Farrell returns from a trip to the Red Sox' Dominican Republic training facility.
News of Lovullo's hiring was first reported by Jon Heyman of FanRag.com
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