BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox have extended an olive branch to Jim Rice after firing him as hitting coach.

Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette announced today that the organization has created a new role for Rice with the club and offered him the opportunity to join Hall of Famers Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski as an organization instructor.

"Jim Rice is an important figure in our organization and holds a significant place in Red Sox and Major League Baseball history," Duquette said. "Jim was one of the greatest hitters in the long history of this franchise and was one of the best hitters ever to play in the majors.

"The Red Sox believe that Jim's name deserves to be among the great players in the Baseball Hall of Fame. We hope that by inviting Jim to be elevated within the Red Sox organization alongside our great left fielders and current Hall of Famers Ted and Yaz, the voting members of the Baseball Writers Association of America will be encouraged to reflect on the accomplishments of Jim Rice and place his deserving name among his peers in Cooperstown."

Rice was informed earlier in the week that he had been dismissed as Red Sox hitting coach, a position he held for the last six years.

But he now has the opportunity to remain with the organization in a variety of roles, including participation in the team's major league spring training camp and serving as a roving instructor for the entire player development system. He may also work as a community relations liason.

Rice has spent the last 27 years with the organization as a player and coach. He was named to the All-Star team eight times during his 16-year playing career and won the MVP Award in 1978.