Red Sox exercise Cora's 2023-24 option
BOSTON -- The Red Sox demonstrated their faith in manager Alex Cora on Monday by picking up club options on him for the 2023 and ’24 seasons.
Under Cora’s watch, the Red Sox exceeded the expectations of all prognosticators in 2021 by advancing to Game 6 of the American League Championship Series, at which point they were eliminated by the Astros.
“I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to manage the Red Sox,” said Cora. “We experienced so many special moments as a team and as a city in 2021, but we still have unfinished business to take care of. I am excited about the current state of our organization and eager to continue my work with our front office, coaches, players and everyone who makes this such a special place.”
In 2020, the Red Sox went 24-36 to finish in last place in the AL East. Cora wasn’t part of that team after mutually parting ways with the club for his involvement in the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal and ultimately getting suspended for the season by MLB.
Last offseason, Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom had a managerial vacancy after the team decided to dismiss Ron Roenicke.
Cora’s suspension expired after the 2020 World Series. Bloom interviewed Cora shortly thereafter and decided he was the right person to lead the Red Sox moving forward.
Bloom doubled down on that decision on Monday.
“There’s so much that you can say about what an organization looks for in a manager,” Bloom said. “I think a lot of it comes down to leadership and partnership. You're seeking a leader, not just for your clubhouse and your dugout, but for the entire organization and a partner in our goal of bringing championship-caliber baseball to Fenway Park on an annual basis. And in Alex, we have both of those things.
“He's a tremendous leader and a wonderful partner for what we're trying to do as an organization. We have a lot to be proud of from 2021 and a lot of unfinished business, and I'm excited that we get to go forward for a long time with Alex continuing to push towards our goals.”
The Red Sox won a franchise record of 108 games under Cora in 2018, and they rolled to an 11-3 postseason, as the club won its fourth World Series championship of the 21st century.
Cora, 46, is 284-202 (.584) in three seasons as Red Sox manager, having led the club to a winning record in 2018 (108-54), '19 (84-78) and '21 (92-70). Among the 19 individuals to manage at least 400 games with the Red Sox, Cora’s .584 winning percentage is the highest.
From 2005-08, Cora was a reserve player for the Red Sox and was part of the ’07 title team.
As a player, Cora was the rare bench guy who made an impact in the clubhouse. That impact is much greater in his current role.
“I think one of the unique things about Alex is that he combines a lot of different qualities that help bring the best out of players,” said Bloom. “His feel for the game of baseball, his intellect, just the way that he notices things on the field and is able to combine them with the preparation that he does to maximize what goes on on the field and what happens in every game, is as good as anybody's.
“And as a leader, as a motivator, he can really help take a clubhouse to another level. There's not that many people that bring both of those things to the table in abundance like Alex does. And on top of that, he's just a great guy to work with. He's charismatic. He's funny. He's real. And you need that through the ups and downs of a baseball season.”