Terry Francona was to meet with the Boston Red Sox Friday morning, and beginning Thursday night, word started to spread that Francona wouldn't be back as the team's manager in 2012. Some parties suggested that it was Francona who wanted out, while other parties suggested that it was Red Sox ownership that wanted a change, but all parties seemed to agree that, after the meeting, Francona and the Red Sox would part ways.

Well, Friday morning, Francona and the Red Sox met. And? And, no decision has been made. Mike Silverman:

FWIW, a Red Sox source in the loop said before the Francona-Henry meeting that it was "premature'' to say Tito not coming back. Stay tuned.

And Sean McAdam:

Terry Francona's meeting with the Red Sox has ended and, contrary to earlier indications, no decision apparently was made on his status as Red Sox manager.

Multiple sources indicated prior to the meeting that the sides had made a mutual decision to part ways. But now, indications are any decision won't be made for at least a day or two.

So much for that - kind of. As of this writing, Francona is still to be considered the manager of the Red Sox. But as McAdam says, the two could split soon.

Some kind of decision needs to be made shortly. The Red Sox have 2012 and 2013 options on Francona's contract, and they need to be either picked up or declined. If declined, the organization will immediately begin its search for a replacement.