Thanks to scandal-besieged Alex Cora’s firing on Tuesday, the Red Sox are in the unfortunate position of having to find a new manager as spring training nears. Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom spoke about the situation Wednesday, telling Alex Speier of the Boston Globe and other reporters that the Red Sox don’t yet have an idea where they’ll turn for Cora’s replacement. Unsurprisingly, the Red Sox seem prepared to consider in-house and external candidates for the position. Bloom praised Boston’s current assistant coaches, calling them “an impressive group” and adding, “No reason to think that a number of them wouldn’t deserve consideration for this.” Meanwhile, the Red Sox haven’t yet asked other teams for permission to speak with their assistants. Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro – whom Bloom knows from Tampa Bay – has come up in speculation since Cora’s ouster. However, it’s “unlikely” he’ll be a candidate because the division-rival Rays may not permit Bloom to pilfer other members of their staff, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic tweets.
More on a couple other AL teams…
- This has been a busy winter for the Blue Jays, who have made several notable acquisitions as they try to climb back to respectability in 2020. General manager Ross Atkins’ heavy lifting could be done, but the executive stated Wednesday that the team’s still open to another pickup that would make a “significant impact,” per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Atkins revealed such a move would more likely come via trade than free agency, but he cautioned, “Executing trades of significant impact is very difficult to do.” Center field is one area that could still use some help, Atkins suggested, while Nicholson-Smith points to a reliever and a utility player as possible late-winter additions.
- To this point, the Blue Jays’ biggest offseason add-ons have been starting pitchers. On paper, they’ve greatly upgraded their rotation with the acquisitions of Hyun-Jin Ryu, Tanner Roark and Chase Anderson. Those three and Matt Shoemaker seem like locks to make up four-fifths of the Blue Jays’ season-opening rotation. Shun Yamaguchi, yet another member of the Jays’ offseason haul, will get an opportunity to win a starting job, according to Atkins (Twitter links via Nicholson-Smith). So will Sean Reid-Foley, who divided his nine major league appearances between Toronto’s rotation and bullpen last season.
- It doesn’t appear the Rangers’ signing of catcher Robinson Chirinos will put fellow veteran backstop Jeff Mathis’ roster spot in jeopardy. GM Jon Daniels said Wednesday that his expectation is that Chirinos and Mathis will open the season as the Rangers’ catchers, TR Sullivan of MLB.com tweets. If that proves to be the case, Jose Trevino will begin the year at the Triple-A level. But it’s possible Mathis, who’s due a $3MM salary in 2020, may first have to justify his place on the team in spring training. The soon-to-be 37-year-old has been a light-hitting defensive maven throughout his career, but his first season in Texas went poorly on both fronts. Mathis batted .158/.209/.224 en route to an almost unfathomable 2 wRC+ over 244 plate appearances, earned negative defensive marks from Baseball Prospectus and ranked last among position players in fWAR (minus-2.1).
I have no clue what Bloom is going to look for another manager, but I bet his wheels have been turning for days anticipating this scenario. I’ll miss Cora. I feel badly he put himself in this position, but according to the RS ownership, Cora owned it, n that was good to hear. AJ can break a couple monitors, but who knows the real reason, he was the manager n I do not think the inmates ran the asylum as he is saying. If that was so then he has no business being a manager of a big league team. Also where is Bregman? He had lots to say with his arrogant attitude. It’s no surprise, I’ve never liked him just for that reason. So where is he now? I feel bad for the RS fans, we’ve been the ones punished. Cora has ruined his career with his bad choices. He’s gonna have a long while to think about them.
I’m like 150$ deep in sox mercy for that World Series lol. But assumptions for manager outside would go to varitek as far as I’ve heard.
Or maybe showwalter?
Would Chaim Bloom bring in an old-school Manager like Showalter? Might work..
I’d be surprised if Bloom despite his position will have the final say. Similarly I’m shocked any current coach would be considered since Cora didn’t work alone in Boston and it appears they violated the letter warning in 18. Barring a miracle year, the position could only be interim for 20. I’m suggesting Dusty Baker or radically, John Farrell. Would love to see Pedie as I’ve said before. His managerial salary would I believe be offset from the tax implications. Any little bit helps and it puts to rest the discussion on will he or won’t he return.
Dusty is terrible. You shouldn’t want him
We don’t have any young pitching he can ruin
Bobby Valentine!!
Bobby don’t think that’s gonna happen
While I respect your opinion, Cora should be ashamed of himself as I think he is. He was named 11 times in the report as the main perp. Multiple witnesses in the report said that Hinch was dead against it, but was obvious manager that was weak in the area of asserting his dominance. He should have just said no and if it continued fire Cora while in Houston. But with Cora being the main person setting up the camera room and also setting up the signals through banging a garbage can etc while in Houston and then all of a sudden when he gets to Boston the Red Sox start getting accused this has bad written all over it. Good baseball manager or not, Cora is a disgrace and is on par with or worse than Pete Rose and worse than the Steroid scandal. Watch the MLB Network…some of the greatest hitters and most respectable people have said straight out that if they were told what pitch was coming they would be in the HOF-period.
If Hinch didn’t have the power to stop it as manager, he has no business being a manager anyway.
Agreed. Even if it was all Cora as the report sir what suggests…Hinch should’ve dealt with it
You see, I feel for Hinch. Dead-set against it but you can only do so much. Let’s say he fires Cora… it was mostly player driven mind you, with Cora heading it… that locker room would turn against him completely. You can’t fire Cora and then bench (let’s say) 5 legitimate talents for being pissed either. They would not want to play for him. He tried best he could to play with integrity while also protecting the Astros. I’d interview him immediately after his suspension is up.
Agreed. Spot on Jacob.
I disagree.
A baseball team isn’t some kumbaya democracy. The manager runs the team and his decisions are final.
There were plenty of options to stop this without firing people or losing the locker room.
Ok let’s just relax here. What Cora did isn’t worse than the steroid scandal. That’s the most ridiculous take I’ve read on here and thats saying something.
I expect a lifetime ban for Cora after spreading cheating tactics to multiple MLB teams like a virus.
Ok now that is overboard. Yes they broke rules and they have paid for it. But no laws were broke, no one got hurt.Its a game as no they took it too far.
Ya Cora really “owned it” by saying this was on Beltran and hinted the Yankees cheated in the London series. It was millennial taking responsibility at its finest.
What are you talking about? That video occurred during last season and what he said was literally said with a “wink”. He did own what he did since this news has been news. Did you just want to use the word millennial you grumbly old man? Cora was born in 1975.
You’re right with the timing and I should not have juxtaposed the statement with the current statement. However, I have seen nothing since his firing that indicates an apology or “owning it,” maybe it’s just me but, owning it means taking responsibility, not just ducking out quietly before the storm really hits. Lastly, not that it matters, but having a contrary opinion is not synonymous with grumbly, further, if 27 makes me an old man then okay I’m old 😉
The Red Sox press conference held the other day had plenty of quotes from ownership/staff stating his acceptance of what he did. He has not publicly come out and said anything, but I don’t think that’s necessary at this point. At least not until his punishment is given. I’m also 27, I just have noticed that most people who categorize people based off of their birthday tend to be old.
I agree with you KY. For me, it’s a bit premature to say he “owned it” but I still think the way it’s currently being handled is respectable at this point. I also jumped the gun saying that he’ll say, “I’m deeply sorry. But…” by connecting a generally inapplicable quote. That’s my bad.
They hafta do it now considering major fan events coming up this week n he would be a total distraction.
No Cora admitted it to the RS ownership, that’s a fact.
You have absolutely no idea how long his wheels have been turning. Could be days, weeks, months. You don’t even know if his wheels are turning at the moment.
Bloom is a brilliant man, and yeah I think his wheels have been turning.
AL East the toughest division in baseball.
Well you can count the RS outta it, but the Jays n Rays are strong behind the Evil Empire. It will be Boston n Baltimore holding up the rear! Lol
The Sox are still a much better team on paper than the Jays
Red Sox are a mess internally and looking to clean the slate. The Jays will be much improved and the rays will be the rays…solid.
Red Sox aren’t out of it because they fired Cora. Silly.
You saying “silly” is enough to make a grown man puke in his mouth
you and I have a much different idea of a grown man’s constitution.
Please excuse JohnnyBets. He’s just a troll who loses arguments on numerous threads. Many of those losses to me. Wasn’t intentional on my part.
Why still is the empire evil?
Not this year. I don’t know if you said it tongue in cheek but the NL East and AL West appear tougher top to bottom.
I’d say the AL West and AL Easy are nearly identical. The Yankees and Rays are the Astros and A’s. The Angels and Rangers are the Red Sox and Blue Jays. And finally they’re both rounded out with a tanking team in the fifth spot.
Isn’t that Theo Epstein in the photo? The GM who hasn’t been in the organization for 4 or 5 years?
Lol no. It isn’t. But the chin is somewhat similar at that angle.
No that’s Bloom the new GM.
Make Baseball Great Again!
Red Sox should call Bochy and Showalter. Same with Houston.
Jays could use a bullpen arm. Maybe. Deal an OF not named Gurriel to make that happen.
Problem is the starters of last season need somewhere to play. Can’t just send them all back to Buffalo, that would have a ripple effect. I am surprised there is no mention of Thornton for the 5th spot. You have him SRF, Borucki, Waguespack, and Kay all to send back down unless they get used in the pen.
Thornton was terrible last year, that’s why.
1.8 WAR ain’t terrible.
And he really started to figure things out his last 5 games – 2.19 era in 24 IP. This coincided with him finding a new grip on one of his pitches. Taught to him by Bucholz.
If this is a problem then why be so busy in the offseason? The answer is yes they are going to Buffalo. Kay still isn’t ready and might become a bullpen arm because of lack of consistency. Waguespack is expendable and Borucki is battling Thornton for the 5th spot unless there is an injury.
Why would the Jays give up an asset for a bullpen arm? Management has shown they are quite adept at signing pumpkins and turning them back into princes to flip at the deadline.
Plus they have half a dozen up and coming arms who could be put into the bullpen.
Agreed, unless they’re bringing in a controllable arm that is a back of the bullpen pitcher. Otherwise they may as well just roll with what they currently have, plus the losers of the fifth rotation spot (Yamaguchi, Thornton, SRF). I wouldn’t mind seeing them bring back old friend David Phelps as well. He performed well and I’m assuming left a decent impression on the FO.
Define “asset”? Exactly who’s an asset in the OF you don’t want to see go? I already said no to Gurriel. He’s the only asset a good team will want to keep.
Not sure who you are referring to as these “princes” have yet to show up in the majors. In fact, what you said is false as management has shown ineptitude with regard to assets like Donaldson, Smoak and soon to be Giles who should have been traded already.
For a team that is supposedly a darkhorse WC candidate (not my words), the bullpen is thin. Pearson should be starting in May except that may not happen unless a series of injuries occur. Beyond that, you don’t have 5 quality names to add to the “half a dozen” you mentioned.
The princes he is referring to are the BP arms the Jays have picked up the we’re falling off cliffs and seemed to rebuild themselves with the Jays. The Jays got some prospects for most of them. Referring to guys like Hudson, Axford, Joe Smith, Leone, Biagini, Oh and guys that are still with the team like Gaviglio.
You just proved my point by not naming a single “prince”. The Jays have 6 OFs (not including Johnathan Davis) and all I said was they COULD use another bullpen arm by dealing an OF not named Gurriel. Wouldn’t one deal turn into another prince in the future?
Hudson deal is turning into a bit of a loss but the jury is still out on that.
Axford trade for Corey Copping didn’t bring back a prince.
Joe Smith for Samad Taylor and Thomas Pannone? Not exactly princes.
Leone and Greene for Grichuk is considered a loss in my book thanks to the extension. Not a prince but paid like one.
Biagini with Sanchez for Fisher. Fisher is a prince?
No wonder you didn’t bring up names.
They’re talking about the pitchers that they turned around. Not the return for those pitchers.
The return is the whole point of buying low on pitchers in the first place.
Why would the Jays give up an asset for a bullpen arm? Management has shown they are quite adept at signing pumpkins and turning them back into princes to flip at the deadline.
Plus they have half a dozen up and coming arms who could be put into the bullpen.
How about Starling Marte and Kela for McGuire and a couple pitching prospects?
McGuire will be the main catcher. He’s coming into his own
Pete Mackanin
If players revolt for you firing a cheating bench boss then shame on them. Most wouldn’t revolt. A cheater is a cheater. You cannot defend that. Ask any player…if they know what pitch is coming it’s 90% of the battle taken care of.
I could see the Jays giving Odubel Herrera a shot for the CF job if they’re not interested in going the trade route.
Don’t see that happening with the current logjam of OFs.
They are basically the only team in the league who you can guarantee won’t be going after Herrera considering they shipped Osuna out of town before he could wear their jersey again.
RedSox, Bring back John Farrell!
… this comment frightens me. I’d hire a plough horse to manage the Sox before ever considering a John Farrell return.
They ALL DO IT
Jays have only one elite pitcher, Ryu. Borucki can be a two if bulked up and healthy. The rest aren’t very good innings eaters. They still need one more elite starter to be competitive. Guchi is a bullpen guy. Thornton is meh, SRF is bullpen or a poor Four. Yeesh, Jays might as well tank again.
They need to get rid of all outfielders not named gurriel jr, unless there is a break out guy this year. Herrera is as good bounce back candidate and there is always a guy named Pillar for cf.
Move Vlad Jr to first, play Drury at 3rd until a better option comes along. Sign Giles to a 3-4 year extension since Shspkuns is so poor at trading.
It’s going to be another long year for Jays fans except when Ryu pitches.
They have this guy named Pearson who throws 104 with a hammer curve, you’ll probably see him in May. Maybe you’ve heard of him? #2 pitching prospect in MLB? Also Boruki doesn’t have the fastball to ever be a 2. He’s a changeup guy who’s a 3-4 at best.
Also Drury is horrid. I’d rather Shaw plays 3B.
Quatraro is a New York boy. You’re out !
Here’s hoping the Sox avoid Brad Ausmus (John Farrell all over again). Sox should inquire with Dusty Baker and bring in Varitek as bench coach.
I think the current coaching staffs of both the Astros and the Red Sox are tainted by this mess and as such should be dismissed as well, not promoted to the big job.
Quatraro makes a lot of sense for the Sox and it would let Bloom bring in his own guy.
Showalter would be interesting and has already interviewed for the Astros job.
Varitek would fall in line with the recent trend of managers with little to no coaching experience. I like Varitek but think he would be the latest past-star-comes-back-to-manage-doesn’t work out situation.
For an article that was clearly centered on the Rangers backup catcher the comments sure seem to have been hijacked by talk about RS and Astro manager positions
The upper part of the article is about the Red Sox managerial search
I am a ranger fan and don’t care that much about the ranger backup catcher, Just having some fun
I hear John Farrell is looking for a job
Everyone here misses the fundamental point that baseball (a history of cheating is evidence, not refutation), like all other corporate sports (and many corrupted at the collegiate and secondary school levels) is corrupt — a product of the corruption and anti-social economic system of capitalism. Competition at any cost is essential to maintain this sick system, with no cooperation unless the contrived financial stakes are removed. Every single fan (I’m one of them) is as guilty of Cora, Hinch, Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe, and all the others who’ve cheated to gain a competitive advantage (on behalf of our corporate masters) by supporting capitalism. It will be our death, individually and collectively.
What’s better socialism, communism, feudalism?
just wrong
I am curious if any info has come to light about the Red Sox 2018 activities under Cora’s direction and whether they will be punished like the Astros? I have heard that the Red Sox’s 2018 season was under review but nothing else. If evidence is found that Cora was doing the same thing w/ the Red Sox in 2018, will they loose draft picks and see suspensions of management?
Bruce Bocce
Sorry
Bochy
Bruce Bochy just ruled out returning simultaneously as I posted this. What are the odds of that?
Dustin Pedroia for player manager of the Red Sox.
Maybe there is a way to pay him as a manager rather than a player and take his contract off the Luxury Tax Payroll?
Rangers demoting Trevino to AAA isn’t fair. Mathis and his anemic bat has no business on a major league roster.