Red Sox manager Alex Cora is likely to be fired for his role in the sign-stealing scandals. We examine five candidates who could replace him.
News broke on Monday that Major League Baseball had concluded its investigation into the Houston Astros organization in regards to its role in the camera-based sign-stealing allegations that had been levied against the franchise.
Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that the Astros would receive a record $5 million fine and lose their 1st and 2nd-round picks in both 2020 and 2021. In addition, manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow would each receive one-year suspensions.
Following the news of Major League Baseball’s punishment, Astros owner Jim Crane announced that both Hinch and Luhnow had been fired for their roles in the scandal. The punishment was swift and heavy for both, despite the investigation suggesting that neither played an active role in the scandal, but that they were both negligent in addressing it.
This is significant due to the potential ramifications as it relates to Boston manager Alex Cora and his role in both this investigation and the ongoing investigation by MLB into the allegations that the Red Sox organization illicitly utilized the video replay room to steal signs during the 2018 season.
Cora is directly implicated in the development of the camera-based sign-stealing scandal in Houston and was allegedly the mastermind behind the Red Sox sign-stealing situation. Cora was named 11 times in the report on the Houston investigation alone, which does not bode well for his future with the Red Sox.
As a result, Cora is expected to receive a punishment that is much harsher than what Hinch and Luhnow received. Some analysts have suggested that he may receive a suspension that is four or more years in length.
Regardless of what the final outcome of the investigations is, this is a significant black-eye for the Red Sox organization and it certainly tarnishes their magical 2018 run that culminated in a World Series Championship and a franchise-record 108 win season.
As a result, the Red Sox ownership group needs to get out in front of MLB’s report on the situation and remove Alex Cora from his position as manager. Doing so would put them in a better light and would allow a new manager to get things in order prior to spring training. Waiting could ultimately serve as a major detriment to the team.
If the Red Sox brass wisely opts to move on from Cora, there are a plethora of good candidates available to the franchise. Here are five candidates in which they could consider: