Alex Cora is back!

[notin]

No, I don't think it's quite that simple. Cora did have a couple of negatives, with the suspension and Restgate.

 

And guys with no previous experience are getting hired as managers now.

 

The World Series just went to a manager still on his first managerial job.

 

But we have even Davie Ross just retire from playing, take a couple years off, and walk into the MLB dugout with no experience coaching or minor league management or anything. Did Bret Boone coach anywhere before managing the Yankees?

[notin]

The World Series just went to a manager still on his first managerial job.

 

But we have even Davie Ross just retire from playing, take a couple years off, and walk into the MLB dugout with no experience coaching or minor league management or anything. Did Bret Boone coach anywhere before managing the Yankees?

 

The last 3 World Series have gone to managers holding their first managerial position - Roberts, Dave Martinez, and Cora. AJ Hinch was the last manager to win a World Series while managing a later team...

[a700hitter]

Remember how excited you were about the drills Bobby V was running in Spring Training?

Yes, I was. That was a team badly in need of fundamentals, but they were the wrong team for Bobby V. He is an authoritarian and they were an overpaid entitled bunch.

[mvp 78]

The last 3 World Series have gone to managers holding their first managerial position - Roberts, Dave Martinez, and Cora. AJ Hinch was the last manager to win a World Series while managing a later team...

 

Sox shouldn't have hired a re-tread like Cora!

[notin]

Sox shouldn't have hired a re-tread like Cora!

 

Exactly. We're doomed now!!

[Kimmi]

Cora must really like Boston. The team he left is not the team he has rejoined. Nothing like coming off a suspension for cheating and coming back into a full blown rebuild

 

Saying 'full blown rebuild' over and over again is not going to make that wishful thinking come true.

[Kimmi]

One by the very guy who took the job!

 

Everyone knows Henry is committed to winning, and Bloom has a nice resume, too.

 

I'm sure Cora is thrilled to be back and is excited about the challenges ahead, knowing we will be adding better players each year, going forward.

 

I think Cora is looking forward to managing a team that isn't expected by most people to do much next year. He is up for the challenge.

[moonslav59]

I think Cora is looking forward to managing a team that isn't expected by most people to do much next year. He is up for the challenge.

 

I agree. It won't be easy to win a lot, but there is a lot of room for improvement.

[oldtimer]

I agree. It won't be easy to win a lot, but there is a lot of room for improvement.

 

Clearly the pitching should be easy to improve on and Bloom and Cora should make the moves necessary to do that for 2021. Maybe we don't get a new ace but instead get good solid pitching 1 thru 5 or 6 and we strengthen the BP. If we do that alone, we will be a much better team.

 

I also expect Bloom to continue to strengthen our minor league program as part of his promise to make the Sox a consistent competitor.

 

Finally, there are a number of positions to consider for improvement. We seem likely to lose JBJ and Beni is questionable, so there are two spots to deal with. I'm not sure Bloom can improve our CF position if we lose Bradley. Left field could use some magic.

 

Having to hope JDM returns to his previous glory days is a concern to me but there doesn't appear to be an alternative.

 

Finally, dealing with Pedroia and deciding whether Arroyo is adequate at second base is the last place to look for improvement.

 

I would think Bloom and Cora can make moves inn those areas and make the team a competitor for 2021. There are a lot of good teams in the division, so winning will not come easy.

[moonslav59]

Clearly the pitching should be easy to improve on and Bloom and Cora should make the moves necessary to do that for 2021. Maybe we don't get a new ace but instead get good solid pitching 1 thru 5 or 6 and we strengthen the BP. If we do that alone, we will be a much better team.

 

I also expect Bloom to continue to strengthen our minor league program as part of his promise to make the Sox a consistent competitor.

 

Finally, there are a number of positions to consider for improvement. We seem likely to lose JBJ and Beni is questionable, so there are two spots to deal with. I'm not sure Bloom can improve our CF position if we lose Bradley. Left field could use some magic.

 

Having to hope JDM returns to his previous glory days is a concern to me but there doesn't appear to be an alternative.

 

Finally, dealing with Pedroia and deciding whether Arroyo is adequate at second base is the last place to look for improvement.

 

I would think Bloom and Cora can make moves inn those areas and make the team a competitor for 2021. There are a lot of good teams in the division, so winning will not come easy.

 

I can see us passing on 2B acquisitions- giving the 3-4 guys we have, now, a chance to shine. I'm thinking we go cheap and short term in CF, in hopes that Duran shows improvement.

 

That leaves almost all the resources for pitching.

[Bellhorn04]

The NY Post actually floated a theory the Red Sox might go after LeMahieu. Probably just to ruffle the feathers of Yankee fans though.

[mvp 78]

The NY Post actually floated a theory the Red Sox might go after LeMahieu. Probably just to ruffle the feathers of Yankee fans though.

 

I agree. Cora stated that the Sox would spend money, but not go after the larger contracts. I think they'll bring in a lot of the smaller contracts and revamp the roster that way. Rather than AAAA fodder, they can fill up the 25 man rotation on undermarket deals.

[notin]

The NY Post actually floated a theory the Red Sox might go after LeMahieu. Probably just to ruffle the feathers of Yankee fans though.

 

The New York Post - the only newspaper in America whose primary competition is Charmin...

[mvp 78]

The New York Post - the only newspaper in America whose primary competition is Charmin...

 

Only because nobody actually reads the Boston Herald.

[notin]

Only because nobody actually reads the Boston Herald.

 

Except pet birds and dead fish...

[mvp 78]

During press conference, Cora apologies for what happened and takes full responsibility. Seems genuine. Says he loves being here.

[mvp 78]

Q&A wasn't very exciting.

 

He stated that he didn't bring the Astros scheme to Boston because Sox didn't need it.

[notin]

Q&A wasn't very exciting.

 

He stated that he didn't bring the Astros scheme to Boston because Sox didn't need it.

 

Because Apple watches > trash cans?

[Bellhorn04]

Because Apple watches > trash cans?

 

No, because J. T. Watkins was so good.

[mvp 78]

Because Apple watches > trash cans?

 

Maybe that was one of his Spanish responses.

[oldtimer]

During press conference, Cora apologies for what happened and takes full responsibility. Seems genuine. Says he loves being here.

 

He has the best chance of bringing JDM back from purgatory.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Bloom says he looks forward to Cora's input on possible new additions to the Red Sox. The Astros' free agents are intriguing, because they feature talent and familiarity. So who winds up back with Cora this year -- Springer, Reddick, Brad Peacock or Collin McHugh -- or next year -- Correa, McCullers, Chris Devenski, Joe Smith, or old man Verlander (I didn't include guys like Brantley or Greinke, who joined Houston after AC left)?

 

Boston may avoid any taint of the Houston connection this season, since Cora will have enough to deal with just about himself. But if the Sox show improvement, expect more reinforcements for 2022, especially primetimers in their 20s who can be part of "sustained contenders". Prediction: Correa and McCullers are '22 Red Sox.

 

Edit: I forgot Jake Marisnick; if JBJ is gone, Marisnick -- a Met in '20 -- is a likely replacement.

Edited November 12, 2020 by 5GoldGloves:OF,75

[harmony]

For Boston Globe subscribers only, beat reporter Alex Speier offers the inside story on the rehiring of Alex Cora:

 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/11/14/sports/alex-cora-red-sox-manager-search-how-it-happened/

[notin]

Bloom says he looks forward to Cora's input on possible new additions to the Red Sox. The Astros' free agents are intriguing, because they feature talent and familiarity. So who winds up back with Cora this year -- Springer, Reddick, Brad Peacock or Collin McHugh -- or next year -- Correa, McCullers, Chris Devenski, Joe Smith, or old man Verlander (I didn't include guys like Brantley or Greinke, who joined Houston after AC left)?

 

Boston may avoid any taint of the Houston connection this season, since Cora will have enough to deal with just about himself. But if the Sox show improvement, expect more reinforcements for 2022, especially primetimers in their 20s who can be part of "sustained contenders". Prediction: Correa and McCullers are '22 Red Sox.

 

Edit: I forgot Jake Marisnick; if JBJ is gone, Marisnick -- a Met in '20 -- is a likely replacement.

 

Peacock and Marisnick in 2021. McCullers in 2022. Correa never...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Peacock and Marisnick in 2021. McCullers in 2022. Correa never...

 

Ok, but since we both agree Boston needs to make a splash -- and there are very few big names available this year besides Bauer, which most doubt will happen here -- then how would you rank '22's Big Five free agent shortstops as future Red Sox? I have 1. Correa and 2. Lindor, because of Cora, and then 3. Story, 4. Baez, 5. Seager.

[notin]

Ok, but since we both agree Boston needs to make a splash -- and there are very few big names available this year besides Bauer, which most doubt will happen here -- then how would you rank '22's Big Five free agent shortstops as future Red Sox? I have 1. Correa and 2. Lindor, because of Cora, and then 3. Story, 4. Baez, 5. Seager.

 

Bogaerts.

 

So here is the conundrum. Bogaerts signed the extension with the Sox when he was ONE YEAR away from being one of, if not THE top name on the free agent market at the ripe old age of 26.

 

And he is a Boras client. I can still hear echoes in the wind from Scott on that day. “ Xander, don’t sign. I said don’t sign. DON’T. Xander... Xander. Put down the pen. We’re all friends here just put it down. I can help you. Please let me help you. PUT DOWN THE f***ING PEN!!!..... Oh Xander. You’re dead to me.”

 

So - and maybe it was the World Series High - but Xander signed. And as you clearly just read, against the advice of his agent.

 

So my question to you is - what is it about Boston that will make Bogaerts want to leave but also make Correa want to come?

[notin]

Also what elixir did Correa drink that will magically transform him from the injury-prone klutz that he is today and has been since 2015 into a player worth investing in like he has a 150 game season in his future?

 

Or do the Sox sign Correa and use his downtime to showcase CJ Chatham?

[notin]

My recommended free agent splash is Ozuna and Hand.

 

And then acquire a big name SP via trade...

[harmony]

My recommended free agent splash is Ozuna and Hand.

 

And then acquire a big name SP via trade...

Do the Red Sox have assets in personnel to trade for a "big name" starting pitcher without creating a hole elsewhere in the lineup?

[notin]

Do the Red Sox have assets in personnel to trade for a "big name" starting pitcher without creating a hole elsewhere in the lineup?

 

No. But they do have the assets to fill holes.

 

Deal Vazquez. Sign Zunino. Call it a day...