The Boston Red Sox and manager Alex Cora found common ground, agreeing on a three-year extension midway through the 2024 season, however, the 48-year-old made a few things clear before making the deal official.
Cora, who joined the Red Sox in 2018, months before leading the franchise to its most winningest regular season (108-54) and its ninth World Series title, opened up following the team’s Wednesday evening loss to the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
“I’ve been talking to Craig (Breslow) for a little bit,” Cora told reporters, as seen on NESN’s postgame coverage. “There were two things that I wanted: I want to win and I want security for my family, and we have accomplished both. … These people trusted me. I’m glad and I’m a grateful kid from Caguas, Puerto Rico, and here I am.”
It’s been a rough three-year stretch for Cora and the organization. In 2021, the Red Sox showed an encouraging sign by clinching a wild-card spot, eliminating the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays before falling short in the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros. The patience of the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season paid off; Cora’s managerial impact returned to its rightful place at Fenway Park’s helm, and Boston was back in contention. However, the Red Sox lost their grip, slipping to dead-last in the American League East in 2022 and 2023, resulting in the franchise switching its leadership by parting ways with Chaim Bloom and naming Breslow as the team’s chief baseball officer this past offseason.
Boston’s flip-of-the-switch (clearly) needed to span beyond the front office and trickle its way into the locker room, but the pendulum of luck didn’t swing in favor of the Red Sox. Starting pitcher Lucas Gioltio, who’s among the most durable arms in MLB, suffered a season-ending right elbow injury during spring training. Garrett Whitlock, another rotational righty, suffered the same fate — a right ulnar collateral ligament injury — which left Cora and the coaching staff to, once again, get creative and keep the ship afloat despite the unforeseen circumstances.
The Red Sox had a grocery list of doubters entering the season, yet Cora’s trust in the young core has paid dividends. Ceddanne Rafaela is a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate, Jarren Duran is an electric All-Star and Tanner Houck is among the most dominant right-handed arms in baseball — and it’s all translating to the standings. Boston’s in the mix of teams with a shot at knocking on the contention door in October, and a critical part of it is Cora, who’ll stick around through the 2027 season.
