Nightengale: Managerial maneuvering for 2013

• Boston GM grabbed John Farrell, the former Red Sox pitching coach, from Toronto
• Ozzie Guillen is still the Marlins manager, but stay tuned
• Dusty Baker signed a two-year deal to stay with the Reds

At season's end, several managerial jobs were either open or in some flux. USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale look at the landscape now:

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Team: Red Sox

Situation: The Red Sox's charter plane barely had landed at Logan Airport when they fired Bobby Valentine. Really, they had their minds made up by August.

Outlook: President Larry Lucchino made the previous hire, choosing Valentine over Dale Sveum and Gene Lamont. This time, Lucchino and ownership let GM Ben Cherington made the call. It was a no-brainer. Cherington wanted someone he knew and trusted. so he grabbed John Farrell, the former Red Sox pitching coach, from Toronto. They will either win or go down together.

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Team: Blue Jays

Situation: The Blue Jays liked Farrell, but didn't love him. There were terse moments in the relationship between Farrell and GM Alex Anthopoulos. Farrell finally told them he would love to go to Boston. The Blue Jays didn't stand in his way.

Outlook: They took a hard look at Sandy Alomar Jr. in 2010 and may turn to him this time. Tim Wallach, prevented by the Dodgers from interviewing for the job two years ago, this time has permission and baseball executives believe he could be the man.

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Team: Marlins

Situation: Their much-hyped season ended with manager Ozzie Guillen ripping team owner, Jeffrey Loria, and closer Heath Bell ripping Guillen. Well, Bell was traded in a three-way deal Saturday to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Guillen is still standing. So far.

Outlook: No one has any idea what's going on in South Beach. In early September, president Larry Beinfest was out, Guillen was in and Dan Jennings was going to be promoted to run baseball operations. Well, Beinfest is still around, and the front office is intact. And Guillen is still around, despite reports that the Marlins are looking for a manager. Stay tuned.

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Team: Reds

Situation: Dusty Baker led the Reds to 97 victories and to their second National League Central Division title in three years. Yet, if the Reds had not won the division, it's clear he would have been fired.

Outlook: The Reds and Baker originally had talked about a one-year contract but decided to make it a two-year deal, just like last time. He'll have his entire coaching staff brought back intact.

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Team: Indians

Situation: The Indians decided to cut ties with Manny Acta after losing 24 of 29 games in August. They gave Sandy Alomar Jr., a six-time All-Star catcher, a shot by letting him manage the final six games. But really, they already had their man in mind.

Outlook: It was no surprise the Indians wanted Terry Francona. The surprise was that Francona wanted them. But he has a strong relationship with Indians president Mark Shapiro and GM Chris Antonetti.

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Team: Rockies

Situation: They finally decided to bring back Jim Tracy, only for Tracy to tell them he didn't want to return.

Outlook: The Rockies don't know whether to stay in-house or look outside. They could bring back former Rockies manager Don Baylor, grab Wallach, or really think outside the box. Yes, hire Jason Giambi, who would go from the playing field to the manager's office. It sounds crazy. But then the Rockies have a way of looking at things a little differently than their brethren.