Bobby Valentine The Next Red Sox Manager?

The Boston Red Sox let go of manager Terry Francona at the end of their disastrous 2011 season, leaving them with a vacancy to fill.  Could former Met skipper Bobby Valentine be the answer?

There is a lot of speculation about who will be taking over as manager with the Boston Red Sox.  According to ESPN Boston they are down to two options.  The Sox can go with either Gene Lemont, or Bobby Valentine.  Both of them say they have not been approached, but many believe that Valentine could be the man for the job.

Sox GM Ben Cherington said he hopes to name a new manager by next Monday.  Valentine hasn't managed in the bigs since the Mets let him go in 2002 and Lemont's last gig was as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1997-2000.  Lemont is currently in Detroit on Jim Leylands staff.  Valentine is currently working as a baseball analyst for ESPN, but clearly has the itch to get back in the game.

[ESPN]