There has already been speculation in Boston that Alex Cora will not return next season as manager. During a press conference yesterday, Cora admitted this is the lowest point in his career in Boston thus far. While it hasn’t been the best season for the Red Sox, their recent play on the field is beginning to raise eyebrows. Cora’s admittance to the lowest point of his career might signal the beginning of the end for him as the manager. Is it just him venting his frustrations or is it a sign of a man who might be out of a job by the season’s end?
Alex Cora could very possibly be the first person fired if the Red Sox miss the playoffs. He’s not sending a message. Winning games is just as , if not more important for him than for Bloom https://t.co/FCgARBDKdA
— Matt Couture (@MattCouture5) August 5, 2023
The Uncertain Future of Alex Cora as Manager
This newest development could be the strongest indicator of a managerial shakeup before the 2024 season. Then again, Alex Cora is human and may have spoken out of frustration or was having a bad day. Evaluating both conjectures could help better understand what could be the best decision for this team moving forward. Cora has gained plenty of experience in his coaching role, but it might be time for a new voice in the clubhouse, especially with the team is direction.
Alex Cora As a Manager
Cora and the Red Sox parted ways before the start of the 2020 season. This all comes from Cora’s two sign-stealing scandals from the past. That includes when he was a bench coach for the Houston Astros in 2017. Cora was also implicated in a sign-stealing scandal as manager of the Red Sox the following year. Cora stating a seemingly ordinary day as Red Sox manager is his lowest point with the organization seems shocking. Accounting for the underachieving 2006 team and being fired, for Cora to say this is the lowest point with the Sox says something.
Why It May Not Indicate He Will Be Manager in 2024
Players ride the highs of being white-hot hitters at the plate, only to find themselves in a 3-for-33 slump two weeks later. It is the nature of the game, often compared to riding a roller coaster, over a 162-game season. Cora is having a low moment in the 162-game season. However, it’s not always about the 162 games; it’s how managers coach the team in certain situations too. Cora has dug himself a hole, including this past weekend’s blunder against the Toronto Blue Jays. If decisions like that continue, Cora’s time in Boston is ticking away quicker.
Takeaway
The future of Alex Cora as Red Sox manager is on shaky ground. Cora stating this is the lowest point in his Red Sox career may be saying something about his future intentions. However, it was a long season; maybe Cora was venting his frustrations. With just under a third of the regular season, there is still a lot of baseball left. But don’t let this distract you from the fact that Boston’s future is shaping out to be promising. Even if Cora isn’t around as manager in 2024, whoever takes over the helm, will have plenty of prospects who could make an impact one day soon.
Main Photo Credits: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
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