Athletics pitching coach Curt Young turned down a contract offer from Oakland that included a substantial raise on Sunday, saying he wanted to pursue other opportunities in baseball. He interviewed with the Red Sox a day later and has emerged as the leading candidate to replace John Farrell on the coaching staff. ?Obviously, Curt meant a lot to all of us, and we wish him well wherever he goes,?? closer Andrew Bailey told the San Francisco Chronicle. ?Someone is getting a great coach.?? Dallas Braden told the paper, ?This came as a complete shock. He?s been that accessible, everyone?s-favorite-uncle figure, a guiding light for us. He taught me how to study within the game, what to look for. He always understood my role and put me in the best position to succeed.?? Young?s biggest competition could come from Sox advance scout Mike Cather, pitching coach for Double A Portland from 2007-09.