Reports: Red Sox And Manager Francona Are Parting Ways

"The Boston Red Sox and manager Terry Francona "have decided to part ways after eight seasons and two World Series titles," Sports Illustrated is reporting.

The Boston Globe says "the manager will meet with GM Theo Epstein and ownership at 10 a.m. today and the expected resolution according to major league sources will be a mutual agreement for Francona to leave the organization."

This follows, of course, Boston's late-season collapse that saw the Sox blow a 9-game lead for the American League's wild-card playoff spot.

Where might Francona go next? Multiple reports speculate he could become the next manager of the Chicago White Sox. That team this week released manager Ozzie Guillen from his contract — and he quickly signed on to manage the Florida Marlins.

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