While Red Sox ownership and top brass are taking most of the hits – not to be confused with helping OPS – it’s time for the franchise’s manager, Alex Cora, to perform.
I wrote a story just before opening day titled, “Alex Cora unplugged: Red Sox manager on finally getting his team.”
Cora had decided last summer that he was all-in with the franchise, President of Baseball Operations Craig Breslow and direction it would be heading.
As proof he signed the largest contract – three years, $21.75 million – last July to see this, his team, through.
But there was one glitch – Rafael Devers.
The normally happy-go-lucky slugger, was not himself. The Red Sox, with Cora leading the way, added a new third baseman, Alex Bregman.
Was it a good move? Hell, yeah! Bregman has basically outperformed Wally The Green Monster in being a rah, rah team guy.
And, more importantly, he has answered as a key bat in the middle of the lineup.
Cora messed up the Devers situation as much as anyone.
Why didn’t he travel to the Dominican Republic to talk to his $300 million slugger before the deal was consummated?
Isn’t Cora’s best quality, outside of his baseball acumen – he is elite X’s and O’s – his ability to deal with all players of all makes and sizes?
Remember, he was Red Sox manager in 2018 when Devers was a 21-year-old, batting seventh, on one of the most dominant Red Sox teams ever.
Even better, Cora was there when Devers signed his 10-year, $313 million contract, obviously signing off on keeping him around “forever.”
If Devers were to respect anybody of authority, it would be Cora, right?
Obviously, there was an obvious disconnect between the two, key Red Sox employees.
The fact that Cora didn’t meet with Devers in December or January, letting him know third base was off the table with Bregman and Nolan Arenado, both multiple time all-stars, available.
Instead it was a six weeks of walking on egg shells in Fort Myers.
And when first base opened following Tristan Casas’ season-ending knee injury, followed by a short-term opening at third base due to a quad strain, Devers was a no-show.
But that is spilled milk. The Red Sox, for now, will keep the prospects around, with Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony trying to fill some of the Devers’ void.
Red Sox fans appear to be split that the franchise blew it or need to rid themselves of a malcontent.
The bottom line, Cora’s job managing got easier in some respects with a clubhouse, apparently, on the same page.
In other respects, Cora’s job may be exponentially tougher with expectations, particularly those upset about the move, still the same.
Red Sox fans want October baseball and they want it in 3½ months.
It’s Cora’s team, officially, including the prospects.
Time to win more ballgames, in some cases a lot more, than they lose.
You can email Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.