The Boston Red Sox's manager is months from becoming a free agent. Alex Cora is expected to be a popular man in MLB if his contract with the Sox expires.
Players and members of the Red Sox front office have raved about Cora's work. From Craig Breslow's praise of the culture in Cora's clubhouse to Kenley Jansen's comments about him being "one of the best managers in the league," the skipper is primed to secure a big check from any team interested in his services.
Based on the way things have gone early in the season, the Houston Astros may be among the candidates seeking a new manager for 2025. Cora has already coached there, but he'd be a fine choice for the head job (an upgrade from his previous bench coach role).
The Astros have struggled under rookie manager Joe Espada early in the campaign. Espada is a former Houston bench coach and third base coach for the Marlins and Yankees organizations. He also coached the Puerto Rican national baseball team during their silver medal run in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora loosely linked to Astros if he hits free agency after 2024 season
Despite his years of coaching experience, the Astros have ran into many issues with Espada at the helm. Two prominent members of the Houston team have privately complained about Espada's "communication skills," per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
If the Astros continue to struggle to the point that they miss the postseason, the team may opt to select another manager this offseason, as Nightengale elaborated upon. Espada should get a fair shake for the rest of 2024. However, Cora and Skip Schumacher are two premier managers who will be available at the end of the 2024 season and Cora will likely find a home before Schumacher, based on track record and experience.
It would be in Boston's best interest to extend its current skipper. If the testimonials from current Red Sox players and staff aren't enough, he's led underwhelming Red Sox teams to reasonable records, and even a deep playoff run in 2021.
There have been no reports of extension discussions between Boston and Cora. If the Red Sox hope to maintain their relationship with "one of the best" in the league, they should act soon.