He’ll return to routines the players accept more.

There will be a calmness, a settling down for the team.

But as we’ve come to learn over the years, spring training means nothing. What’s important for Farrell is the success of his starting pitching. If he can get through to Lester, Buchholz, and Lackey, he’s worth the hire. He already has had the conversation with Lester about complaining to umpires on every close call.

He’ll make sure the pitcher prep work that seemed to lapse last season because Jason Varitek and Farrell were absent will be there again. As Saltalamacchia said, “Going over the advance reports builds confidence in the pitcher. We didn’t have that last year. A pitcher needs to have that confidence heading into a game.”

It’ll be a kinder, gentler surrounding.

The inmates will be comfortable again, but Farrell won’t be afraid to shake them up if they get too comfortable.

But always remember, John: The inmates are in charge.