Alex Cora’s return as the Red Sox manager was widely predicted and even expected by some pundits, though the club’s managerial search “wasn’t a dog-and-pony show,” a source tells The Athletic’s Chad Jennings (subscription required). Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom spoke to a wide range of candidates, and as Jennings writes, “the feeling within the organization was, if Bloom wanted someone else, ownership would support that choice.” There was even some sentiment that Cora was initially only included in the search as “a courtesy interview,” though Bloom increasingly became convinced that Cora was the best choice to lead the club going forward.
More coaching-related notes from around baseball…
- Marlins bench coach James Rowson was the third finalist for Boston’s managerial job, Jennings writes. It was already reported that Cora and Phillies director of integrative baseball performance Sam Fuld were the other two finalists (and perhaps the top two choices) for the position, though it wasn’t known whether Rowson or Pirates bench coach Don Kelly was the other candidate to make the final cut.
- Rowson’s future still looks bright, however, as The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal writes that Marlins “officials are intrigued” by their bench coach as a potential manager of the future. Miami hired Rowson as their bench coach and something of an organizational hitting coordinator a year ago, following Rowson’s past stints as a hitting coach for the Twins and Cubs and multiple years working as a hitting instructor in the Yankees’ farm system. Of course, the Marlins already have a manager in Don Mattingly, though Mattingly’s contract is only guaranteed through the 2021 season (with a club option for 2022). It certainly doesn’t seem like Mattingly is in danger of being replaced any time soon, both due to Miami’s success last season and, as Rosenthal puts it, “it’s difficult to imagine them making a move with Mattingly and paying two managers at once.” However, Mattingly is one of the few holdovers remaining from Jeffrey Loria’s ownership, so Derek Jeter could want a hand-picked manager in charge if he feels the Marlins have fully turned the corner on their rebuild.
- Fuld may not have been the choice as Red Sox manager, but Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe wonders if the team’s interest in Fuld could make him a candidate to be the team’s next bench coach. Fuld has never worked as a coach or manager at either the MLB or minor league levels, as his post-playing career has been spent in his current role with the Phillies. If not Fuld as bench coach, the Sox could promote from within their current coaching staff, with Abraham suggesting Ramon Vazquez or Carlos Febles as potential candidates.
More Red Sox spin. Sounds like a lot of the process was ownership convincing Bloom to hire Cora. Ownership got their man.
according to who exactly? that’s what fans seem to think, but the reality might be Bloom actually figured him to be the best candidate.
MLB Network did a piece on it with Darling, Kennedy, DOD, and a guest and they discussed this very thing. They posited the very same thing and their were industry sources relaying information to that effect.
That’s possible, Dark. But, baseball executives want “their guy.” It’s virtually inevitable new leadership hires new leadership – “their guy.” The Cora rehire just doesn’t fit with Bloom’s hiring and the supposed new direction of the team.
And? No franchise has won more titles since they’ve taken over. They seem to have a pretty good handle on this whole baseball thing
The Giants won three titles in five years. That constitutes a dynasty. The RS may have won four but they’ve been spread out. No dynasty. So there’s that. In the time frame you’re talking about the SFG are solid contenders for most accomplished team.
Cheaters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Simple
Boston paid the Dodgers with Betts
MLB saved face
Cora was rehired.
By “paid” you mean traded him for young assets because they weren’t close on an extension, right?
I hate that Verdugo is considered an ‘asset’.
I like Verdugo he plays hard every Sev of the game.
OPS+ was 126 this year, plays really good defense, cheap for the next few years, 4 stolen bases…
Seems like an asset.
hands off Fuld
Fuld I am sure is terrific but not right fir the Redsox right now. It would’ve been another Bobby Valentine nightmare that a new manager doesn’t need.
DarkSide, do you think he will replace Girardi when the time comes?
Whoa! Easy, both of you! Red Sox fans will aver that other player and teams at various stages in history have also cheated and committed various crime, which will be totally irrelevant, but they will say it anyway.
I’m just so happy for Cora n all his players that adore him n also the fans who do o also. And just got the haters on this page I want to tell them I hope they have never made a baaaad choice in life that affected others and lived to regret it. I know Cora did and has regretted his part in Houston. Cora paid his dues and I am happy Bloom has stood up for him giving him a chance to manage again in Boston where he is adored by players, management n fans.
No he hasn’t, he lied. Amazing how forgiving you are of him yet you hold dear to your heart every Yankee misgiving that ever occurred.
Dis-in-gen-uous
You can’t have an honest conversation so you troll everyone else who tries to.
#CorasWinsAreFake
What did Cora lie about?
Xactly! I heard that MLB said he was the most open n honest about anything he took part of in Houston. Plus Bloom never would’ve given his faith in Cora if he thought he had or did lie. That I am sure of.
Seriously, try to speak English, pasha2k. In your defense, it does sound like your mouth is full of something…
Chief no need of that kinda talk.
You brought it on yourself, pasha2k.
You need to stop trolling yourself
Also I am a fan of the NYY when they not playing the Sox, so get off you pulpit
The most honest does not mean he was honest. He has not been forthcoming on the entirety of what happened and he cheated in Boston. It’s okay, your bias is understandable given your affinity for a baseball team at the expense of morality.
You seem to equate asking for equitable consequences with one’s perception of perfection or one’s own lack of self reflection when in fact it is quite the opposite.
You attack anyone whose opinion disagrees with your ownership’s selection by attacking their integrity. It’s a defensive posture of someone who knows the truth but refuses to acknowledge it.
I openly affirm any cheating by the Yankees needs to be dealt with swiftly and harshly yet you question my integrity when I say the same of your precious Sox. And, you still cannot being yourself to simply say he should not be managing and everyone involved needs to be punished more harshly.
#SoxFansFakeNews
On the bright side, the Red Sox are going to be terrible for the entire time Cora is the manager. He will likely be fired before they are anywhere near contention just to make the playoffs. I give him two years, but I hope it is more. The Sox will regret losing Betts for a long time.
How can you be the most honest but not honest? There has to be an amount of honesty in what he says or the statement doesn’t make sense. You seem to be quite biased as well.
I’m no redsox fan, but without the releasing of MLB findings, then what definitive statements can you make about Cora?
You mention morality as if it is universally defined, then proceed to go “psychology 101 junior doctor” as a refutation of what he said. Essentially you took the phrase “you’re a homer” and made it into three paragraphs to make it seem like an argument. Then made a last paragraph that can be summed up as “I’m not a homer though”.
Without knowing all the information, we don’t know all the information (so simple, yet true). Hinch and Cora served their time that was handed down by the league. What they did was awful, but I honestly can’t say how awful because I don’t know.
What was in that internal memo that was squelched by the NYY attorneys because it would cause “irreparable reputational harm”?
All I am saying that human are fallible, we all are n make terrible choices. Who are we to judge?
His wins are fake?…he was a bench coach in Houston…
Not the manager…He dosen’t get credit for wins or loses.
And he was suspended for his part in what happened in Houston… Not in Boston.
Cora is a Spanish first language speaker as are many of the core players. He relates to them in two languages….. (no conclusion…just fact)
JD Martinez
Xander Bogaerts
Rafael Devers
Christian Vazquez
Eduardo Rodriguez
Darwinzon Hernandez
Phillips Valdez
Yairo Munoz
Frankly at this point I do not care who is manager. I am tired of reading about it…
Bring in free agency, non-tender signings, waiver signings, and eventually (hopefully) spring training
No Valdez and Munoz are not core, for all you not pickers
Lol you funny but right.
Cora managing without cheating will be like Braun hitting without steroids.
Wash your mouth out with soap! Alex Cora is a humble, gentle, honest human being, whose participation in MLB will make MLB better worldwide, and he did NOT cheat – this is a FACT.
Sincerely,
Alex Cora’s Pseudonym
Your desk at Fox News is waiting.
Anyone who gives Cora a pass should never comment again about the Astros. Cora and Beltran were the architects of what happened in Houston. Period. Move on.
I came to realize the players in Houston were honestly remorseful n I just appreciate their talents n enjoy their play. What I feel badly about is Beltran, he deserves another chance n I hope someone gives it to him.
ok then
Sox should bring back Roenicke as bench coach.
Shame on MLB & the Redsox for this hire! Another example of incompetence within the commissioners office!
The circumcisions office is a mess