ALEX CORA: Trade him!
Should the Boston Red Sox explore a more creative way for moving on from their manager?
By Terry Cushman Jr
THE PROBLEMS
Alex Cora is in the first year of his three year $21M contract extension, the Red Sox are nose diving towards last place, and his contract is fully guaranteed.
The embattled manager has only crested 90 wins twice in his six seasons with Boston, and the common theme for both of those rosters is that they were largely veteran laden.
Now he is leading one of the youngest teams in franchise history, and quite frankly, seems to have no idea what to do with them.
All of the lefty prospects are essentially platoon players despite very respectable numbers against lefty pitchers throughout the minors. And the on-field defense continues to be among the worst in the league.
Finally, the Red Sox have tons of “dead” money on the books. Namely Masataka Yoshida and Trevor Story. Neither of whom can be moved without eating a chunk of the contract.
John Henry doesn’t seem to have the appetite for eating money.
THE SOLUTION
Don’t fire him. Trade him.
That’s right. It’s not unprecedented, especially for the Red Sox.
In 2012 Ben Cherington fired Bobby Valentine, a failed science experiment that was forced on him by Larry Lucchino.
A few weeks after the firing, Cherington got the guy he wanted all along, John Farrell.
In order to get his guy, he had to trade his everyday shortstop to the Toronto Blue Jays in order for the deal to come to fruition.
Toronto GM at the time, Alex Anthopoulos, approved the transaction, and John Farrell was once again a towering presence in the Boston dugout.
THE BENEFITS
The optics of trading Alex Cora versus firing him are much cleaner. John Henry at various points in his ownership has often been ruthless when it comes to terminating managers (Francona) and various executives.
This would in small part deflect more bad press from Red Sox ownership in a season that has been riddled with bad press.
Instead of coldly firing Cora, and abruptly thrusting him out of Fenway Park into a future of uncertainty, he can land on a legitimately contending team with a quicker path to October.
It would also clear his remaining $15M off the books.
POSSIBLE DESTINATIONS:
Reuniting with Dave Dombrowski would make a ton of sense. The Phillies are loaded with proven veterans like Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber, whom Alex Cora knows especially well from 2021.
The Red Sox could take back Rob Thomson in the trade, who is under contract for one less year than Cora, and is presumably getting paid less money.
The Atlanta Braves roster has a similar vibe to Philadelphia. Brian Snitker has hinted that he may wish to step away from the game more sooner than later.
The Braves are currently six games under .500, and reaching the now or never point of the year. A fresh voice could spark a run.
Some dark horse candidates: Yankees, Blue Jays, Nationals, and Diamondbacks.
CONCLUSION
All courses run to completion at some point or another. Ramon Vazquez could have a three month audition on an interim basis to possibly become the permanent manager.
Worst case he becomes a place holder while the Red Sox turn their attention to firing Craig Breslow.
Terry Francona, John Farrell, and Alex Cora have combined for 20 years of managing in ten dugout dating back to 2004. Bobby Valentine and Ron Roenicke managed the other two hears.
It’s long past time for a new voice.