Farrell endorses Lovullo as managerial candidate

BOSTON -- Amid a report out of Chicago that Torey Lovullo is on the Cubs' radar for their vacant managerial position, Red Sox manager John Farrell left no doubt that his current bench coach is more than ready for a promotion.

"To me, he's a manager-in-waiting," Farrell said. "I think he's going to have opportunities until he ends up securing one of the jobs. But he's been integral to the success that we've had here. He's a great baseball mind. The conversations and the feedback and just the insights that he gives, he's going to be very good."

Both Farrell and Lovullo confirmed that the Cubs haven't requested formal permission for an interview at this point.

"I've had no contact," said Lovullo prior to Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. "It's just been business as usual around here, which is what we all prefer."

If the Cubs do request an interview, Lovullo will make sure it takes place after Boston's season is over.

"I don't want anything to be a distraction here," Lovullo said. "My allegiance is to this group that's been together for a long time."

Lovullo has some history with Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein, who hired him to manage Triple-A Pawtucket in 2010.

"I think we have a mutual respect for one another," said Lovullo. "But we were on two different levels. He was at the big league level and I was in player development. I respected everything that the big league level stood for. There was no barriers between the front office and the manager, there was no disconnect with player development, and I know in time with that guy that sits in that seat there with Theo that it's going to be a pretty special relationship."

However, Lovullo isn't spending his hours at this juncture day-dreaming about working with Epstein or any other general manager.

There is too much at stake for the Red Sox.

"I want to make sure it's not a distraction here," Lovullo said. "This is my focus, this is where I'm at, I'm proud to be a Boston Red Sox. I understand how the association happens because of Theo's connection to the Red Sox and me being here when Theo was here."