I guess he doesn't want to have home field advantage in the World Series, if his team is lucky enough to get there ... a combination of an exhausted Justin D and the bum know as Sherrill is so much better than going (from 6th to 9th) with Nathan, KRod, his own closer and then Rivera ...
Guess he thinks the Sox won't make it this year ...
Francona can't manage. Red Sox got a leadoff double in the bot of the 8th in a tie game and they don't get a run. Any decent manager would bunt the runner over to third for a better chance of getting in the run on a groundout or fly ball.
The only thing he is good at, is putting guys in a lineup. He wouldn't be coaching a team like the royals or pirates. He wouldn't last 2 seconds with those Rosters!