I don't think Boston wanted Francona V2. As I said, I think they wanted someone who'd come in, ruffle some feathers, sort out who could be a team player or who was a "me" guy so the front office could ship some people out. Then tell Bobby V to take a hike because he had alienated the clubhouse and the fanbase.
Boston doesn't have an old team as Youk, Ortiz and Beckett are the only "key" guys over 30. But a lot of sports is monkey-see, monkey-do. So, if any of the young guys saw the indifference(or whatever you want to call) that the vets had while they collapsed, they need to know if it stuck. It's hard to think of anything worse than a 26 y/o coming up on FA with a "I don't care" attitude. Sign that guy to 7 years and you're living a nightmare into 2020.