The Boston Red Sox hired John Farrell to be their new manager on Sunday, obtaining their former pitching coach from the Blue Jays in a trade for infielder Mike Aviles.

Farrell had been the Toronto manager the past two seasons, posting a 154-170 record with two fourth-place finishes. He had one year remaining on his contract with the Blue Jays, allowing them to demand compensation from Boston.

“I’m extremely excited to be returning to the Red Sox and to Boston,” Farrell said in a statement released by the Red Sox. “I love this organization. It’s a great franchise in a special city and region, with great fans, and we want nothing more than to reward their faith in us.”

The deal was reported Saturday night but wasn’t finalized until Sunday.

Japanese teen wants to play in U.S.

Japanese high school pitcher Shohei Otani says he will pursue a career in Major League Baseball instead of turning professional in Japan.

Otani, a 6-foot-4 right-hander who has thrown a fastball between 99 and 100 mph, has been scouted by several major league teams including the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox.

Otani, 18, said “I think I will start in the minor leagues but I want to challenge in the majors. It’s been my dream since entering high school.”

Otani had been expected to go in the first round of Thursday’s amateur draft in Japan.