Cleveland Indians Set to Name Terry Francona Manager

 Francona was 744-552 in eight seasons with the Red Sox

Terry Francona will be named manager of the Cleveland Indians on Monday. Francona worked with the team as a special assistant in 2001, and has close relationships with Cleveland team president Mark Shapiro and GM Chris Antonetti. Francona will replace Manny Acta, who was fired in September. Sandy Alomar Jr., who was the interim manager, was also an candidate for the job. Francona managed the Boston Red Sox for eight years. He went 744-552, making the playoffs five out of eight seasons.

With the Red Sox, Francona won two American League pennants and two World Series championships, including the 2004 “curse” breaking title.

The 2011 Red Sox surrendered a big lead in the AL wild-card race after going 7-20 in September. The Red Sox then declined to exercise Francona’s option for 2012 ending his tenure in Boston. Francona has a 1,029-915 record in 12 seasons as a major league manager, including his time with the Philadelphia Phillies ,1997-2000. Francona, 53, was an analyst for ESPN this past season.

The 2012 Indians were in first place as late as June 23, and finished the season 18-45 to finish 20 games out of first place in the American League Central Division. Ihe Indians present a different set of challenges for Francona as the team will be in a rebuilding mode for 2013.

As Baseball News Source reported earlier, the Indians will still explore trade possibilities with outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, starting pitcher Justin Masterson and others this off-season. Chris Perez, the 27-year-old closer who has 39 saves this season has been outspoken in his criticism of Indians fans and team owner Larry Dolan, could also be traded.

FOXsports.com was the first to report Francona will take the Indians’ job.