Alex Cora seems to have had enough of Chaim Bloom’s “bang-for-the-buck” philosophy. Bloom built competitive Tampa Bay Rays teams, with some of the lowest payrolls in all of MLB. He did not, however, win the Rays a World Series. Cora won one helming the Boston Red Sox in 2018 when the chief baseball officer was Dave Dombrowski. Ownership would be more apt to keep Bloom and part ways with Cora to keep costs low, which Dombrowski’s Sox teams could not do.
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If the Red Sox do not make the playoffs this season, Cora could be the “fall guy” for Bloom’s frugal decisions. He could also resign if he feels he has no input related to on-field talent. Either way, the Sox would need a new manager. Should the Red Sox and Cora part ways, his replacement would likely be the current Minnesota Twins manager, Rocco Baldelli.
The Leading Candidate for the Next Red Sox Manager
How Rocco Baldelli Could Become Sox Manager
Scenario One
This argument is largely based on what the Twins will do in the second half of this season. Should the Twins remain atop the AL Central, Baldelli’s future in Minnesota will likely hinge upon how far the Twins go in the playoffs. If they do not make it to the ALCS, at least, then it is likely the Twins and Baldelli part ways.
Scenario Two
However, if the Twins have a horrid second half and do not qualify for the playoffs, Baldelli’s days in Minnesota are also likely numbered. What happens with Minnesota, and when, will likely dictate how Baldelli would become Sox manager. For example, if the Twins were to relieve Baldelli of his duties and Cora is still the manager, the Sox could fire Cora to get Baldelli. Additionally, if Cora were to resign or be fired and Minnesota has not yet let Baldelli go, a waiting game will ensue. Again, this will only happen if the Twins do not make the playoffs.
Why Rocco Baldelli and Not Anyone Else?
Baldelli loves Boston, and New England in general; that point cannot be stressed enough! Baldelli was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He grew up in the same town as this writer (Cumberland, RI). His parents are the epitome of hard-working, blue-collar, New England people, just like many Red Sox fans. Baldelli would jump at the opportunity to be closer to family. Lastly, and most poignant of all, he loves the Red Sox. He made it a priority to play at least one season for the team he idolized as a kid before a shoulder injury and a diagnosis of channelopathy prematurely ended his major-league career. He was with the Sox during the 2009 season, so he did not win a World Series. If there is one thing Baldelli would surely love to do in his managerial career, it is to win a World Series with the Red Sox, especially.
Day 47 of a random Red Sox player and highlight:
Rocco Baldelli (2009) pic.twitter.com/0GT6yk6W6J
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) February 25, 2023
The Bloom-Baldelli Connection
Baldelli and Bloom have a prior working relationship. Their paths likely crossed in the Rays organization in 2011, when Bloom became Director of Baseball Operations and Baldelli was named a Special Assistant for Baseball Operations. Baldelli later became the Rays’ first base coach in 2014, then their Major League Field Coordinator in 2017. During 2017, Bloom was the Rays’ Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations, and he at least influenced Baldelli’s position with the organization Both Bloom and Baldelli left the Rays in 2019. Since the two have worked together before and with success, Red Sox ownership would welcome Baldelli, who has bought into Bloom’s “bang-for-the-buck” philosophy, which ownership wants to stick with for the foreseeable future.
Takeaway
Alex Cora and Chaim Bloom are not on the same page anymore. If the Sox do anything short of winning the World Series this season, then Cora is likely out as manager. Similarly, if the Minnesota Twins tank and do not make the playoffs this season, or if they do not at least reach the ALCS, Baldelli would likely be out as Twins manager. Having worked with each other in the past, and achieving success, Baldelli would be Bloom’s choice to replace Cora. Aside from their prior working relationship, Baldelli would love nothing more than to win a World Series championship for a team he has loved his entire life. It really would make Rocco Baldelli’s baseball career come full circle and become a story added to the annals of New England sports legend and glory.
Photo Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Managers Mentioned: Alex Cora, Rocco Baldelli
