Red Sox extend manager Farrell's contract through 2017

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Boston Red Sox extended manager John Farrell's contract on Saturday through the 2017 season, with a team option for 2018.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.

The 52-year-old Farrell took over the Red Sox after a last-place finish and guided them to the World Series championship in 2013. Boston slid back to the bottom of the AL East last year with a 71-91 record.

The Red Sox made several big moves in the offseason, signing All-Star free agents Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez and trading for pitcher Rick Porcello.

Boston is coming off a rocky season in which it used 55 players, including 19 rookies. A year earlier, the Red Sox went 97-65 while winning their third World Series crown in 10 seasons.

Farrell was Boston's pitching coach for four seasons before becoming Toronto's manager for 2011-12. In four years as a major league manager, his record is 322-326.

He returned to the Red Sox in October 2012 and signed a three-year contract through 2015. Boston got Farrell and pitcher David Carpenter from Toronto for infielder Mike Aviles.

Farrell had been under contract to the Blue Jays through 2013.

Farrell pitched eight seasons in the majors, going a combined 36-46 with a 4.56 ERA for Cleveland, the Angels and Detroit.