Key Highlights

• Alex Cora signs a three-year extension with the Boston Red Sox, running through 2027.
• The deal is valued at approximately $23 million, making Cora one of the highest-paid managers in Major League Baseball.
• Cora’s leadership has been a constant amidst the Red Sox’s tumultuous recent history.
• Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow praises Cora’s ability to connect with people and his dedication to winning.

(NicePlay Sports) – The Boston Red Sox have endured plenty of whiplash, mostly self-induced. The euphoria of the 2018 World Series to the doldrums of 2019 to the utter disaster of 2020. The surprise success of the 2021 postseason run followed by the last-place finishes the next two years and now an upstart 2024 club. The lone player left from that championship club, Rafael Devers, signed a $300 million-plus deal last year, but only after the team opted to trade a generational talent in Mookie Betts. In the midst of it all, there have been three changes in front office leadership over the last seven seasons, and “full throttle” declarations to spend only to reverse course. The one constant has been manager Alex Cora. Even when Cora was suspended in 2020 by Major League Baseball for his part in the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, the Red Sox wasted little time in rehiring him for the 2021 season. That’s why — despite the odd timing a week before the trade deadline and despite a refusal all season to discuss contract talks — the news of Cora’s new deal with the Red Sox isn’t all that surprising. The Red Sox on Wednesday officially announced a three-year extension with Cora that runs through 2027. Sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations told The Athletic that the deal is worth roughly $23 million. “We’re very happy, what this organization means to us is the world,” Cora told reporters after Wednesday’s season-worst 20-7 loss to the Rockies, which was another bit of odd timing. “They trusted me from day one.” “I love wearing this uniform. I love the passion that this city brings on a daily basis.” Alex Cora on his belief in the team and his relationship with the organization | #RedSox The $7.65 million average annual value of the deal comes in just shy of Craig Counsell’s five-year, $40 million contract signed last winter with the Cubs, a record deal for a manager. “We put everything on a scale and decided this is a great opportunity for us as a family and obviously to keep growing as a manager,” Cora said on NESN. “From the baseball part of it, I feel comfortable where we are at right now, and where we are going is what I want. I’ve been talking to (chief baseball officer) Craig (Breslow) a little bit here, and there were two things I wanted: I wanted to win and I wanted security for my family, and we’ve accomplished both.” In recent years, following the direction of the Red Sox has often been like being stuck in a corn maze, the kind that stops being entertaining and the exit seems impossible to find. Ownership has said one thing and done another more times than can be counted. And yet through it all, their loyalty to Cora has been their clearest creed. Cora’s rehiring after the 2020 suspension is the most obvious example of that relationship. But the fact he’s working for his third head of baseball operations says just as much about how he’s viewed by ownership. New general managers typically have the luxury of hiring their own manager, but both Chaim Bloom and Breslow inherited Cora, with ownership seemingly saying, “The job is yours, but Cora is staying.” Now they’ve extended Cora three more years. That extension would give him nine seasons in Boston, making him the second-longest-tenured manager in Red Sox history behind only Joe Cronin’s 13 years. In six years at the helm in Boston, Cora has already amassed 494 wins, fourth most in franchise history. “I had a tremendous amount of respect for Alex long before I took this job; that respect has only grown these last several months,” Breslow said in a statement. “He is an incredible people connector, something I have enjoyed watching firsthand. He has embraced Boston’s passionate fans and we share a desire to win as much as they do, both in 2024 and in the future. I’m happy to be able to extend our commitment to Alex, and I look forward to our partnership continuing to grow.” Cora managed the club to last-place finishes in 2022 and 2023. What he’s done in 2024 with an injury-riddled roster that lost starters Lucas Giolito and Garrett Whitlock, as well as shortstop Trevor Story early in the year, has put him in contention for the American League manager of the year award.

Cora’s Journey with the Red Sox: A Rollercoaster Ride

Alex Cora’s tenure with the Boston Red Sox has been nothing short of dramatic. From leading the team to a World Series victory in 2018 to navigating through seasons of turbulence, Cora has been the steady hand guiding the ship. His journey with the Red Sox began in 2018, a year that saw the team triumph in the World Series. However, the subsequent years were marked by a series of highs and lows. The 2019 season was a stark contrast to the euphoria of the previous year, and the 2020 season was marred by the sign-stealing scandal that led to Cora’s suspension. Despite this, the Red Sox showed unwavering faith in him, rehiring him in 2021. The 2021 season brought a glimmer of hope, with the team making an unexpected run in the postseason. Yet, the following two years were marked by last-place finishes, testing the patience of fans and the resilience of the organization. Amidst all this, Cora remained a constant, a testament to his leadership and the trust the team placed in him. This year, even with an injury-riddled roster, Cora has managed to steer the team into contention, proving his mettle once again. His recent contract extension is not just a reward for his past achievements but a vote of confidence in his ability to lead the team into the future. For Cora, the journey with the Red Sox has always been about more than just baseball. It’s about passion, commitment, and a deep connection with the city of Boston. As the Red Sox look to the future, Cora’s leadership will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the team’s destiny.

Behind the Scenes: The Negotiation and Timing

The timing of Alex Cora’s contract extension raised eyebrows, coming as it did amidst a season-worst defeat. However, the behind-the-scenes story offers a deeper understanding of the decision. According to sources close to the negotiations, the discussions had been ongoing for several weeks. Cora himself had maintained a stance of not engaging in contract talks mid-season, a position he reiterated as recently as July.