As of late Thursday night, there had been no movement in the John Farrell situation.

According to a major league source, Farrell hadn't been informed of any changes to his situation as manager of the Blue Jays, or as the object of the Red Sox' affection.

The public portion of the Red Sox managerial search, however, moves on, with the team interviewing Dodgers third base coach Tim Wallach Friday, while planning to meet with Padres special assistant Brad Ausmus early next week. There might also be a few more names thrown in the mix in between the pair of get-togethers.

But while all the candidates not named John Farrell are being analyzed and thrown about, it might be worth it to remember why the Blue Jays manager stays atop the Red Sox' list. There's his familiarity with the team's front office, the intricate understanding of the Boston baseball dynamic, and a hope that he might be the one to turn around key members of the Sox pitching staff.

Still, the separator might be something Farrell's critics are occasionally attempting to hang their hats on -- relating to the entire team.

Sure, he showed his worth while overseeing the Red Sox pitchers, but what about the position players? Should there be concern over Yunel Escobar's antics or Omar Vizquel's criticism? Not according to a few non-pitching former Sox who witnessed Farrell master two traits desperately needed in this current clubhouse -- communication and respect.

"I absolutely love John Farrell," said MLB Network host and former Red Sox first baseman Sean Casey. "If that ends up happening, that will be such a breath of fresh air in that clubhouse. Those guys, they'll do anything for him. He's a great fit."

"I think one of the main things for a manager is the ability to communicate with the players, and as a pitching coach he's obviously dealing with the pitchers and not so much with the position guys. But I got the sense that the pitchers and his philosophy were going in the same direction, and that's important," said former Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell. "You have to be on the same page, because if not the rift could totally tear a staff apart. I think his communication skills are an asset. He understands the Boston market, he's had success in this market, so he would seem to be someone who is very capable."

It is well documented the hold Farrell had on most of his pitching staff while with the Red Sox. As numerous Sox hurlers have said, there was a combination of respect, fear and camaraderie that made the dynamic work in Boston.

And there also is the occasional instance highlighting his ability to cross clubhouse lines relating to the position players. (Remember Farrell playfully throwing Dustin Pedroia in a clubhouse trash can?)

But this isn't about random samplings from Farrell's Boston days that might help his case, or even the bumps in the road he might have faced during a 154-170 two-year stint in Toronto. The point is centered in what Farrell has proven to be, and how it fits in terms of the needs of the Red Sox.

Those who saw the man -- albeit not the manager -- can understand why the Red Sox are targeting Farrell.

"When he went to Toronto and things fell apart in Boston, the first thing I thought was, 'Man, I wish they bet John Farrell was still available.' He's like Tito. Guys love him," Casey said. "And for us, even as position players, we got to know John. Sometimes you don't get to know the pitching coach well, but you wanted to be around John. He brings out the best in people. He's such a smart guy. He's such a baseball guy. John Farrell is the type of guy you just want to be around. I can't say enough good things about John Farrell.

"This guy is different. This guy is a baseball player. He gets it. He would be a great communicator. He gets people. At the end of the day, especially in a place like Boston, you have to be able to get people because you have to understand the team, the media and so many other different things. John Farrell is just one of those guys. … He's somebody you want to have a beer with, but you respect the heck out of him. You respect who he is as a man. When he talks, you listen."

The player-manager dynamic has to start with the respect, but also morph into the kind of relationship where ideas and overall communication isn't a foreign concept.

It's why Farrell's presence, as more than just a former pitching coach, already has been identified as being a difference-maker by those who know him.

"Overall, the pitchers have to perform in the game, but if you don't respect your superior you're basically doing things on your own. You're going from having a plan to no plan," Lowell said. "From a coaching standpoint, it's kind of what my dad would tell me: 'I'm your father, I'm not your friend. I want to be your friend, but I don't have to be your friend. You might not want to socialize with me, but you have to respect me.' I think that's better than everybody holding hands and being happy with everybody. The best-case scenario is you have the respect of your players and you like them because then things can only get better. I think coaches can learn a lot from players, and vice versa. Between the two of you you can come up with something that might click. I think the ability to communicate and brainstorm with ideas is important, but you have to have that respect."

It might not work out. And if it does work out in regards to the Blue Jays cutting ties, it still might not work out in terms of the Red Sox winning World Series. But, according to those who would know (who have been outside the realm of pitching instruction), Farrell best offers what the Red Sox are looking for, and isn't that what identifying a manager is all about?

"You respect his baseball knowledge," Casey said. "I think John Farrell is the one guy who could run a minor league system, be a major league manager or be a general manager one day. I really think he has that good of baseball savvy. When you're around John Farrell you feel good about things."