Red Sox in dialogue with Cora (reports)

Over the past couple of days, Tony La Russa was hired to manage the White Sox, while A.J. Hinch landed the Tigers’ job.

That leaves just the Red Sox with a managerial vacancy, and speculation continues to persist that they could turn to a familiar face: Alex Cora.

• What to know: Red Sox 2020 offseason FAQ

The Red Sox and Cora parted ways last January due to his role in the Astros’ sign-stealing scheme during his time as bench coach with Houston in 2017. Cora was suspended by MLB for the 2020 season.

MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported Friday that Cora is expected to be interviewed in the coming days. The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, citing multiple sources, said that the Red Sox have spoken to Cora multiple times this week since his suspension ended following the conclusion of the World Series.

In addition, Red Sox assistant general manager Eddie Romero told elnuevodia.com that the team plans on discussing the managerial opening with Cora.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom announced previously he will not disclose any candidates for Boston’s next manager until the vacancy is filled and has held firm in that stance.

• Predicting big trio's future with Red Sox

Cora managed the Red Sox to 108 wins during the 2018 regular season, setting a franchise record, and also guided the club to a World Series championship that fall. In '19, Cora’s second year as Boston’s manager, the club went 84-78.

After a tough 2020 season, in which the Sox went 24-36 and finished last in the American League East, the return of Cora to the manager’s seat would be popular in the clubhouse and with the fan base.

Ownership has always expressed their appreciation for Cora, even after he was implicated in Houston’s sign-stealing scandal. Cora also had many fans in Boston’s front office during his two years managing the club.

The wild card is Bloom, who was hired as chief baseball officer last October, and only had a chance to work with Cora for two months during the offseason.

It could be that Bloom wants to start fresh with his own hire.

It’s also possible Bloom will review all the candidates and decide that Cora is the most qualified. In Cora’s two-year run with the Red Sox, he was lauded for his communication with his players and the front office, as well as for his ability to be open-minded with analytics but not overly reliant on them.

The Red Sox, according to sources, have interviewed Pirates bench coach Don Kelly, Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza, Padres associate manager Skip Schumaker, Marlins bench coach James Rowson, D-backs bench coach Luis Urueta, Twins bench coach Mike Bell and Cubs third-base coach Will Venable.

Speier reported that Bell and Venable have been informed that they are out of the running; Kelly and Mendoza both had second interviews.