Sox to hire Alex Cora as manager

[oldtimer]

I'm not in any hurry to get rid of Butterfield. He's held in very high regard by baseball people.

 

I think you have a good point about bringing in an older person with experience to be the bench coach.

 

If Cora makes it in he should get the opportunity to pick his coaching staff. Like one of those deals where every coach is free to pursue other opportunities but may not be asked by our new manager to do so. I think we have been weakest in hitting, so it is a place to look.

[Spudboy]

Dale Sveum.

 

yup

[Youk Of The Nation]

I agree with the others. Butterfield should be fired.

 

Out of a cannon.

[Slasher9]

Dale Sveum.

 

Geez. He was Terrible too. Apparently 3rd base coaching for us is as good as our drafting of pitching.

[Kimmi]

U have a feeling he'd love to manage here! He's got my vote. Maybe he can convine Ortiz he should come on board as the new bench coach!

 

I like the idea of Ortiz as a hitting coach, as others have mentioned.

 

I agree with sk that the bench coach should probably be someone with more experience in coaching/managing.

[Kimmi]

Who is the worst 3rd base coach butterfield or way them in Kim?

 

I don't think Butterfield was a bad 3rd base coach. He was simply following the aggressive base running philosophy.

[Kimmi]

If Cora makes it in he should get the opportunity to pick his coaching staff. Like one of those deals where every coach is free to pursue other opportunities but may not be asked by our new manager to do so. I think we have been weakest in hitting, so it is a place to look.

 

I agree that Cora should be able to pick his coaching staff, or at least have a very strong say in who gets picked. I have no problem with Butterfield staying on. I think Chili will be replaced, in large part because he seems to be drawing a lot of interest elsewhere.

[OH FOY]

Sox had 2 hitting Coaches this year. That I don't like. Too much information is not good either. Chili didn't work with Bogaerts, another guy did. Since he took his advice, he's been on the downswing. Hope he leaves. Turned Bogaerts into a slap hitter, looked terrible. While everybody was going for launch angle, he was hitting down on the ball. Bogaerts is losing a lot of money taking his advice. Teams want Power if they are going to pay big in FA. Edited October 21, 2017 by OH FOY!

[sk7326]

If Cora makes it in he should get the opportunity to pick his coaching staff. Like one of those deals where every coach is free to pursue other opportunities but may not be asked by our new manager to do so. I think we have been weakest in hitting, so it is a place to look.

 

I think it will be collaborative. After all - it's not like any manager knows every coach who is out there. I would imagine management will put together the coaches to be interviewed while Cora gets significant say in who makes the cut. Of course, managing his coaches is one of the biggest parts of his gig.

 

The same hitting coach had a league leading offense last year - so it's probably not a plug and play thing.

[Elktonnick]

I like the idea of Ortiz as a hitting coach, as others have mentioned.

 

I agree with sk that the bench coach should probably be someone with more experience in coaching/managing.

 

As I have said elsewhere, David Ortiz would be both crazy and or suicidal to take any full time coaching or managerial job. Since he is neither I can't see him doing anything but what he is doing now. A paid behind the scenes coach or pr person is perfect. Why would he wish to put himself in the crosshairs. For Ortiz life is good he is a Boston icon. He doesn't need the headaches.

[Elktonnick]

Sox had 2 hitting Coaches this year. That I don't like. Too much information is not good either. Chili didn't work with Bogaerts, another guy did. Since he took his advice, he's been on the downswing. Hope he leaves. Turned Bogaerts into a slap hitter, looked terrible. While everybody was going for launch angle, he was hitting down on the ball. Bogaerts is losing a lot of money taking his advice. Teams want Power if they are going to pay big in FA.

 

You hit the nail squarely on the head. Now if only Bogaerts could do the same.

[sk7326]

As I have said elsewhere, David Ortiz would be both crazy and or suicidal to take any full time coaching or managerial job. Since he is neither I can't see him doing anything but what he is doing now. A paid behind the scenes coach or pr person is perfect. Why would he wish to put himself in the crosshairs. For Ortiz life is good he is a Boston icon. He doesn't need the headaches.

 

I could see him as a roving instructor or "assistant to the GM" at some point ... but yeah, for the most part he has a good life.

[sk7326]

You hit the nail squarely on the head. Now if only Bogaerts could do the same.

 

Let's see what an offseason of rest does. Pedroia and Bryce Harper's hand injury experiences are both solid examples of reserving judgment on Bogaerts here.

[Spudboy]

As I have said elsewhere, David Ortiz would be both crazy and or suicidal to take any full time coaching or managerial job. Since he is neither I can't see him doing anything but what he is doing now. A paid behind the scenes coach or pr person is perfect. Why would he wish to put himself in the crosshairs. For Ortiz life is good he is a Boston icon. He doesn't need the headaches.

 

This is what it comes down to. Why jump back into all that travel and deal with all the anxiety when you can just dress up and look pretty on TV?

[FredLynn]

I like the idea of Ortiz as a hitting coach, as others have mentioned.

 

I agree with sk that the bench coach should probably be someone with more experience in coaching/managing.

 

Varitek as bench coach? I think he is likely managerial material, if he wants it. He was always incredibly well prepared for the game, though towards the end of his career his physical skills were no longer there. As for Butterfield, I agree: he was not a bad coach. A bit aggressive at times perhaps, but when you have speed you can be aggressive. He can tone it down if instructed to do so.

[cp176]

Firing either Butterfield or Amaro in my opinion would be mistakes. If they don't like Butterfield as a third base coach then use him in the dugout. In those two guys, you have coaches who actually teach the game. It is a luxury to have two people so highly respected on your staff. Obviously a new manager probably gets to do his thing but getting rid of Butterfield - well just move Devers off third right now because he won't get a better teacher over there than Butter.

[a700hitter]

This is what it comes down to. Why jump back into all that travel and deal with all the anxiety when you can just dress up and look pretty on TV?

He is a sharp dresser.

[MADSTORK]

Varitek as bench coach? I think he is likely managerial material, if he wants it. He was always incredibly well prepared for the game, though towards the end of his career his physical skills were no longer there. As for Butterfield, I agree: he was not a bad coach. A bit aggressive at times perhaps, but when you have speed you can be aggressive. He can tone it down if instructed to do so.

 

Good call on Varitek.

[Kimmi]

As I have said elsewhere, David Ortiz would be both crazy and or suicidal to take any full time coaching or managerial job. Since he is neither I can't see him doing anything but what he is doing now. A paid behind the scenes coach or pr person is perfect. Why would he wish to put himself in the crosshairs. For Ortiz life is good he is a Boston icon. He doesn't need the headaches.

 

I don't disagree with what you are saying. You are probably right that Ortiz would not want to take on such a job because of the reasons you mentioned. I still like the idea though.

[Kimmi]

Varitek as bench coach? I think he is likely managerial material, if he wants it. He was always incredibly well prepared for the game, though towards the end of his career his physical skills were no longer there. As for Butterfield, I agree: he was not a bad coach. A bit aggressive at times perhaps, but when you have speed you can be aggressive. He can tone it down if instructed to do so.

 

I have always like Varitek as a managerial candidate, when/if he was ready to jump into that role. That said, I think it would be a good idea to have a bench coach who has more experience in a coaching or managerial role to complement Cora.

[OH FOY]

Chris Bosio and Dave Righetti both available as Pitching Coaches.

[Kimmi]

Cora has been offered a 3 year deal. But I'm guessing that he can't accept it until after the Astros are done playing this season?

[Behindenemylines]

Good call on Varitek.

 

Cora played with Varitek so it wouldn't surprise me if he ended up on his staff. Varitek would be beneficial to helping the pitching and maybe what is needed to get Swihart over the hump.

[OH FOY]

Cora or the Sox cant do nothing. Wouldn't surprise me if Nationals jump in on Cora. Nothing is set in stone yet. Keep an eye on if Nationals seek permission to speak to Cora. Edited October 22, 2017 by OH FOY!

[Kimmi]

Cora or the Sox cant do nothing. Wouldn't surprise me if Nationals jump in on Cora. Nothing is set in stone yet. Keep an eye on if Nationals seek permission to speak to Cora.

 

If I'm not mistaken, the Nats have already requested permission to interview Cora.

[OH FOY]

Not yet according to Nick Carfardo and Sean McAdam. You could right too. Not disagreeing with you.

[OH FOY]

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/259274274/red-sox-reportedly-offer-contract-to-alex-cora/

[oldtimer]

Cora has been offered a 3 year deal. But I'm guessing that he can't accept it until after the Astros are done playing this season?

 

The way I read it in the Boston media, Cora has already accepted a three year deal and will begin his responsibilities after the World Series. Good to see a capable, young Latino manager in the majors. I look forward to a positive experience with Cora.

[Jack Flap]

It's official:

http://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2017/10/alex_cora_officially_named_new.html

 

Hopefully someone told him about the'"cliff" before he accepted the job through 2020, lol.

[moonslav59]

In my opinion, it's a 3 year window, as Henry should be willing to spend heavily in 2020 to keep us near the top.