Free agent utility player Alex Cora is drawing interest as a player and as a coach, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports. The 14-year veteran will probably choose to play another year, according to Heyman.
Cora posted a .224/.287/.276 line in 172 plate appearances for the Nationals in 2011, playing all four infield positions. The 36-year-old Boras Corporation client has a .243/.310/.338 career line since breaking in to the Major Leagues as a member of the 1998 Dodgers. As the 2011 ended, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reported that teams have inquired about Cora's interest in managing. Washington GM Mike Rizzo has interest in Cora as a future coach.
The numbers themselves are bad enough, but SLG under his OBP? I understand it’s technically possible to do so and have a pretty good year, but that’s a pretty good indicator of lolfail — and in Cora’s case, that’s exactly what it is.
Utility players have their own value, I get that. But this is a guy who has been average or below average both offensively and defensively almost every year of his entire career. Why would anybody want him, much less at the tail end of his career? He used to play SS alright and that’s about it — and those days appear behind him.
As a coach, yeah, maybe. As a player? Really?
Boras described his client as a mix of Henry Kissinger and Lou Klimchock.
the only thing funnier than cora thinking he can still play but that teams are ACTUALLY interested in him as a PLAYER
Where’s Omar when you need him?
-a Mets fan
Cora will always be remembered (by me anyway) as the player who had one of the most incredible plate appearances, ever.
…Way to not share
I believe he is referring to when he had a 17 pitch at-bat that ended with a home run. It was awesome
It was 18 pitches, including 14 consecutive foul balls. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a pitcher look more visibly frustrated. The at-bat ended with a two-run home run. It was even more remarkable coming from someone with such a light bat.
Ok I knew it was up there. Yea certainly one of if not the best at bats I’ve ever seen
I had to look it up to be sure about the number of pitches. The other crazy thing was the home run came on a 2-2 count. Oh, and those were the winnings runs in the game!
The Nats or Mets will pick him up
Hmm, interesting…
– N. Colletti
Hard to see the utility role player market this bad. Cora had -0- range anymore at SS/2B when Boston let him walk 3-4 years ago. It’s not like he all of a sudden got any back and sure.. Francona (and others) have always said he would be a great manager sometime, but you don’t waste a roster spot on anyone who has no range at any defensive position and then cannot hit either.
boras needs to just cease this drumming up business for his clients when it does not exist..it is getting comical.
Could see a team like the Cardinals sign him to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training. He brings lots of leadership and is a respectable player.