FORT MYERS, Fla.–Boston GM Theo Epstein on bringing in former Indians farm director John Farrell as the club’s pitching coach at the major league level:

“We were very intrigued by his communication skills, his integrity and his ability to connect with his players on a number of different levels and obviously a lot of the skills necessary to be an effective farm director translate to being a pitching coach and being a pitching coach in Boston.

“We needed somebody with credibility and presence, but who also might also have a good feel for breaking younger pitchers in too—in Boston. And that’s not an easy thing to do. I think being a successful farm director for a number of years gives you the feel for how to finish off a player’s development and what it takes for a young player to succeed in the big leagues.

“I think John demands accountability from his players and he holds himself to that same standard, so he’s not going to back down from any challenge whether it’s learning a Japanese approach to pitching and training to working with (Craig) Hansen to help regain his slider. John’s not the guy who’s going to take the easy way out.”