Red Sox to Name Francona Manager

Now it will be Terry Francona’s turn to see whether he can lead the Boston Red Sox to the World Series.

Francona will be hired as the new Red Sox manager, two baseball sources told Associated Press on Wednesday, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The ex-Philadelphia Phillie manager will join his former ace, Curt Schilling, as they try to bring the Red Sox their first World Series championship since 1918.

Francona did not immediately return a call seeking comment. A Red Sox spokesman said the team had no announcement to make.

But the sources told AP that the team has scheduled a news conference today at which it will announce Francona’s hiring.

Francona, 44, managed Philadelphia through four losing seasons from 1997-2000 when the Phillies were a young team trying to rebuild.

Francona will be under pressure to win immediately in Boston, where Grady Little averaged 94 wins over two seasons but was let go after the team collapsed in the seventh game of the AL championship series.

The Red Sox also interviewed Dodger third base coach Glenn Hoffman, Angel bench coach Joe Maddon and Texas first base coach DeMarlo Hale. But Francona was established as an early front-runner, and his hiring was delayed only by the team’s pursuit of Schilling.

*

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired left-hander Eric Milton from the Minnesota Twins for reliever Carlos Silva and utility infielder Nick Punto.

The Twins also get a player to be named.

Milton, who won 41 games from 2000-02, started only three games last season after having surgery on his left knee during spring training.

*

Left-handed reliever Felix Heredia agreed to a $3.8-million, two-year contract to stay with the New York Yankees.

He was 0-1 with a 1.20 earned-run average in 12 appearances with the Yankees, who claimed him off waivers from Cincinnati on Aug. 25. He was 5-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 57 games with the Reds.

Backup catcher John Flaherty has agreed to a $775,000, one-year contract, but must pass a physical for the deal to be finalized.

*

Groundbreaking on the Negro League Legends Hall of Fame, a shrine and museum to be built in Washington, was scheduled for next year, with opening day planned for 2006.

There already is a Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Mo., and the history of black baseball is well documented in the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, N.Y. The new Hall of Fame will supplement those, focusing more on individual players.

*

Former Dodger utility player Mike Kinkade signed with Japan’s Central League champion Hanshin Tigers.

Kinkade signed a one-year deal for $800,000 and is expected to play outfield for the Tigers. Kinkade played in 88 games in 2003 with the Dodgers and batted .216 with five homers and 14 RBIs in 88 games.

*

Right-hander Salomon Torres, who revived his career the last two seasons after being out of organized baseball for five years, agreed to a $775,000, one-year contract with Pittsburgh.... San Francisco and free-agent outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds agreed to a $1-million, one-year contract.