According to Shi Davidi of The Canadian Press, in an expected move, the Toronto Blue Jays have announced John Farrell as the team’s manager. The team has a scheduled press conference at 12:00pm PST. The coaching staff has yet to be named.

“The Jays are getting a great baseball man and a great person,’’ Boston Red Sox’s owner John Henry wrote in an e-mail to the Boston Globe. “We were able to keep John as a part of our organization longer than a couple of other teams would have wanted, but it really is time for John to step up to the next level.

“He will be an effective, excellent manager. I expect him to manage in MLB for as long as he wants to. He’s going to an excellent young team with a strong and smart hierarchy. The Blue Jays are going to be a force in the AL East for some time to come. I am grateful for the years John Farrell gave to the Red Sox. He will be missed.’’

Farrell became the Red Sox’s pitching coach after de 2006 season. During his stay in Boston the Red Sox won the World Series in 2007, lost to the Rays in the 2008 ALCS and against the Angels in the 2009 ALDS. The Red Sox didn’t make the playoff this season for the first time since 2002.