As expected, the Boston Red Sox fired Bobby Valentine on Thursday.

After ownership pushed for Valentine last offseason to become manager of the Red Sox, Ben Cherington will lead the search for a new manager this time around.

It remains to be seen exactly who the Red Sox will target, but Gordon Edes suggests that Blue Jays manager John Farrell, Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux, Rays bench coach Dave Martinez and Indians interim manager Sandy Alomar will be considered.