John Farrell is in remission

The Red Sox have announced that manager John Farrell is in remission from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Farrell was diagnosed back in early August after undergoing surgery for a hernia.

In a statement, Farrell expressed his appreciation for the support he's received over the last two months:

"I am extremely thankful for the outpouring of support I have received from the Red Sox, my family, friends, and fans throughout this process. I am also especially thankful for the talented doctors who cared for me in Detroit and here at [Massachusetts General Hospital]. I look forward to getting back to work and bringing another championship back to Boston."

While the nature of cancer always makes it difficult to talk in absolutes in the long-term, that last sentence certainly gives you a pretty good idea that Farrell sees himself back in the dugout come 2016. The Red Sox have said all along that, if healthy, he would be their manager in the coming season. Now, with Farrell in remission five months before the season starts, signs look good for his return.

But baseball is just an afterthought in all of this. Really, there's not much that needs to be said here. John Farrell is in remission, and that's the best possible Red Sox news this offseason could have brought. Thank goodness it came so quickly.