Alex Cora puts pressure on Red Sox front office with hopes for offseason

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora has never been shy about dropping hints to Boston's front office. Prior to last offseason, Cora made comments that were widely interpreted as a plea to Boston's brass to get Alex Bregman. Ironically, a similar request would be fitting nowadays, although Cora's trust of the front office sounds to be strengthening.

Cora recently lauded chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and said that people just need to let Breslow cook, but in the same interview, Cora also asserted that the front office can't take its foot off the gas.

Cora shared all of this and more while appearing as a guest on the "Foul Territory" podcast, during which he was asked about all things 2026 Red Sox, including a potential Ceddanne Rafaela return to the infield (which Cora refuted).

While Cora obviously didn't name any specific moves or players that he would like to see, he did reference a recent conversation that he had with Breslow in Las Vegas, in which the CBO very clearly spelled out that Boston needs another starter at the top of the rotation alongside Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello.

When asked what he would like to see the front office do this offseason, Cora used the word "aggressive" while acknowledging that Boston was so last offseason. He also declared that "playing three games in October is not good enough," suggesting that the Red Sox must advance further into the postseason in 2026 for the season to be considered a success.

Alex Cora just dropped another one of his trademark hints to the Red Sox front office to get it done this offseason

Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta would be the perfect fit as Boston's No. 2 starter in that regard, but it remains unclear how available he is. Brewers GM Matt Arnold recently said that he'd have to be "blown away" by an offer for Peralta, which leads one to believe that Breslow would have to fork over some hefty prospect capital for him.

Cora also acknowledged Boston's "holes" offensively. The Red Sox have been linked to Pete Alonso this offseason, and Bo Bichette has even been floated as a long shot. The first order of business for Breslow (as far as the offense is concerned) should be to lock in a deal for Bregman's return.

With Bregman back in the fold and an impact No. 2 starter also added to the mix, the Red Sox would be able to say that they passed the offseason test. To do so with flying colors, however, and to really be "aggressive," adding a second bat (Alonso!) would do much shift the power dynamics in the American League East, at least on paper.