Could Red Sox Lose Alex Cora to Archrival?

As the summer has gotten into full swing, the Boston Red Sox are surging. The Red Sox are tied for the best record in baseball since since May 19 and are now two games up in the final third Wild Card spot. Despite all that there is to celebrate about this latest stretch, lingering in the background is the uncomfortable question about the future of manager Alex Cora. Cora is in the final year of his contract and has yet to commit to a future as the Sox skipper.

A few weeks ago, MLB insider Jon Heyman reported that "no one thinks that [Cora] will be back in Boston. Cora himself has done little to pour cold water on that prediction, doubling down on his refusal to talk about the future.

As Cora has continued as a lame duck manager, many Red Sox fans have directed their ire at a popular punching bag, owner John Henry. Now, John Henry's hands are far from clean. Cora is likely motivated to move on due to the philosophical differences between himself and Boston's front office in recent years as the team has cut back on spending and either stood pat or sold at the deadline. Cora was reportedly "not supportive" of Chaim Bloom, the Red Sox' Chief Baseball Officer from 2020-23. The continuing disconnect is likely a driving force behind Cora's lack of commitment to a future in Boston.

One particular hypothetical scenario—that Alex Cora could join the Evil Empire in the Bronx—has begun to gain traction in recent weeks.

As Boston has enjoyed a blazing hot streak, the Yankees have lost 16 of their last 21 games. The two teams are trending in drastically different directions at the moment. With another second-half implosion from Aaron Boone's squad, the man who has been seemingly been perpetually on the hot seat could finally be fired.

Cora was first hired as the Red Sox manager following his 2017 postseason run as the bench coach of the Houston Astros. In his first season at the helm, he led Boston to a 2018 World Series title. The 2018 Red Sox were dominant, posting the best record in baseball (108-54) and going 11-3 in the postseason. Boston was unable to replicate that success in 2019, failing to make the playoffs as they finished only six games above .500.

In Nov. 2019, the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal came to light. Cora was revealed to be a key figure in the scandal, and the fallout from the controversy resulted in a Jan. 2020 decision by the Cora and the Sox to "mutually part ways".

After Ron Roenicke managed the Sox during the Covid-shortened 2020 season, Cora was re-hired by Boston in Nov. 2020. Cora's Sox made a surprise run to Game 6 of the 2021 ALCS, but the team faltered back down to identical 78-84 records in 2022 and 2023.

Cora has been widely respected among the fanbase during his time in Boston's dugout. In recent seasons, John Henry and the ownership group has alienated themselves by allowing several fan favorites to leave town to save themselves a little cash. If they make this mistake again with Alex Cora and he ends up with the Sox' most hated rival?

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