The long search for a new manager of the Toronto Blue Jays which has been taking place since Cito Gaston announced he would be retiring from his role on the team during the 2010 season has come to an end with an exciting choice.

That choice is now former Boston Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell, who spent the last four seasons under Terry Francona, winning a championship with the squad in 2007.

Before his role as pitching coach with the Red Sox the former Major League pitcher played a definitive role in turning around the Cleveland Indians farm system when it was at its peak in the early to mid 2000’s as director of player development, a title he held for five years.

Despite never managing in the Major Leagues Farrell brings an extensive baseball background with a load of experience from both the player development and pitching ends of the spectrum to Toronto, which will certainly be a plus on a developing team such as the Blue Jays.

His plethora of pitching knowledge should help with Toronto’s exciting young starting staff which includes stalwarts Shaun Marcum, Ricky Romero, Brett Cecil, Brandon Morrow and a long list of possibles such as Jesse Litsch, Kyle Drabek, Zach Stewart, Brad Mills, Robert Ray and others vying for a spot in the regular season rotation.

The Blue Jays officially announced the signing of Farrell today during a press conference at the Rogers Centre, making him the 12th full-time manager in franchise history.

He brings a devout understanding of the Latin American baseball scene to the team as well, which general manager Alex Anthopoulos highly dwelled in this past season after making a serious run at signing Cuban fire-baller Aroldis Chapman and locking up shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria long-term.

With the addition of Farrell the Jays hope that they can improve upon a 2010 season which saw the team finish fourth in the American League East with a record of 85-77.

He had the following to say about the signing and the upcoming season with the team:

“I’m humbled to sit here today and wear this uniform and to be entrusted with the team that’s going to be assembled by Alex”

“There’s a lot of work to be done I’m anxious to get started. I’m anxious to grab this whole situation wholeheartedly.”

Farrell will replace legendary Toronto baseball fan favourite Cito Gaston in the manager’s role; Gaston was 894-837 with the club, which also included two World Series championships in 1992 & 1993.

The decisions for the new Blue Jays manager have obviously been minimal thus far, but he did indeed announce that pitching coach Bruce Walton & bench coach Brian Butterfield (who was also a leading candidate for the vacant manager’s position) will be invited to rejoin the team next season.

Farrell beat out Butterfield, Red Sox bench coach DeMarlo Hale & Indians first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. for the vacant position, although it was rumoured that Anthopoulos interviewed somewhere between 20-30 very promosing candidates for the role.

The signing was confirmed when Red Sox owner John Henry stated the following to the Boston Globe earlier in the week:

“The Jays are getting a great baseball man and a great person. He will be an effective, excellent manager. I expect him to manage in MLB for as long as he wants to. He will be missed.”

And to add another Red Sox/Blue Jays connection to the day former Boston slugger Manny Ramirez has reportedly been linked to Farrell & the Blue Jays stating his interest in playing for the manager and club.

Ramirez who played the majority of the 2010 season with a sports hernia had the injury fixed via surgery over two weeks ago and batted .298 with 9HR & 42RBI across 90 games played with the Los Angeles Dodgers & Chicago White Sox this past season.

Ramirez says he has been interested in playing for the Jays for some time, stating his appreciation towards the great Dominican players the Jays have employed in the past.

The Jays already employ a full-time designated hitter in Adam Lind, who had a down year in 2010 hitting .237 with 23HR & 72RBI, although Lind could move over to first base with Lyle Overbay possibly departing via free agency this coming off-season.