The Tuesday, November 10, 2020

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Alex Cora’s reintroduction press conference will focus heavily on his past rather than the future

Alex Speier

As he prepares for his reintroduction as Red Sox on Tuesday, stands three years, four days, and 180 degrees removed from the position he occupied on Nov. 6, 2017.

Then, the Red Sox introduced Cora as their new manager at a press conference. Questions that day revolved around the degree to which his managerial inexperience represented an impediment to his otherwise glowing candidacy.

“I don’t think experience is going to be an obstacle for me,” Cora said.

On Tuesday, questions about experience and obstacles will assume a very different form. Cora is now a known in Boston and throughout the Red Sox organization. His 2018 title offers evidence of his capacity for excellence in a demanding job.

A lack of familiarity with his job description isn’t an issue. To the contrary, experience and history were the traits that separated the 45-year-old from every other candidate whom the Red Sox considered in their managerial search.

His previous time as a manager — and more specifically, as the Red Sox manager — proved too compelling for the team not to rehire him. Yet it is also his past experiences for which Cora must now answer at the press conference on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.

While the enthusiasm for his return throughout the organization and a large — but not universal — portion of the fan base is considerable, Cora’s public reappearance will focus heavily on his past rather than the future. The press conference will mark Cora’s first broad availability to discuss the 2017 Astros’ sign- stealing scandal that prompted him to vacate his role as Red Sox manager in January and eventually led Major League to suspend him for the entirety of the 2020 season.

And while MLB, in a subsequent investigation, determined that Cora did not know about the Red Sox’ use of in-game video to decipher opposing teams’ sign sequences, the former and new Red Sox manager will nonetheless have to discuss what transpired — and why he should not be accountable for something that MLB viewed as a punishable offense that occurred on his team.

In many ways, Tuesday will be less about Cora’s selection as Red Sox manager as it will be for the opportunity to address questions that were left both unasked and unanswered when he left the team in January. The session will be less about Cora’s substantial qualifications for the job and more focused on why his past misdeeds were not disqualifying.

The event will be as much — perhaps more — an opportunity for public contrition than a coronation, a striking contrast to the event at which Cora was introduced three years ago.

THEN: What did Cora learn on the way to winning the as bench of the 2017 Astros?

NOW: As bench coach of the 2017 Astros, how involved was Cora in the scheme to steal signs and communicate them from behind the dugout by banging on a trash can?

THEN: How much did Cora grow from spending a year in a dugout in 2017?

NOW: How did Cora change from spending a season away from the game in 2020?

THEN: What did Cora think the Red Sox needed to step forward as a championship contender in 2018?

NOW: How much did the 2018 Red Sox rely on illegal practices en route to a title, and how much did Cora know about them?

THEN: What convinced president of baseball operations that Cora was the right person for the job?

NOW: Was Cora truly the choice of Red Sox chief baseball officer ?

THEN: What message does it send for the organization — dogged by a racist history, and convulsed in the middle of the 2017 season by racist acts that occurred in the stands — to hire its first minority manager?

NOW: What message does it send for the organization to hire someone so prominently associated with the 2017 Astros cheating scandal?

Inevitably, the press conference will present uncomfortable moments for Cora, Bloom, and the Red Sox. The unavoidable format will make the tenor even more awkward thanks to the emotional distance that arises from communicating through screens on a Zoom conference rather than in person.

In many ways, Tuesday will represent the continuation of a year in which so much has been backward- looking as a result of the departures of Cora and . Yet for all of that potential awkwardness, perhaps more than any introduction, the event represents the necessary point of departure for Cora’s second stint as a Red Sox manager and a significant opportunity to shape the start of his next .

If he and the Red Sox appear thoughtful, genuine, and contrite about the past, then Tuesday may truly serve as the beginning of Cora’s second chance and an opportunity for the team to begin looking forward toward its future.

* The

Alex Cora should feel immense pressure in his return as Red Sox manager

Jason Mastrodonato

Alex Cora likely got his job back because of his success as the Red Sox manager in 2018.

But as far as his future goes, we might as well forget about the ’18 season.

Cora, who will be re-introduced as Red Sox manager Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. ET, is likely to have a short leash this time around.

The pressure will be on him from Day 1 to not only turn around a Red Sox team that posted its worst winning percentage in 54 years, but also prove quickly that he’s a capable manager for the next chapter of Red Sox history, one that requires both the patience to teach a new wave of pitching talent and an urgency to demand results quickly for a team desperate to shed its losing stink.

So, forget about 2018.

Why? Because while the historic ’18 season won’t be forgotten around New England anytime soon, it remains just enough to get Cora back to even on the accounting books of managerial points.

Designated the mastermind of the 2017 Astros’ sign-stealing scheme, one of the worst public cheating scandals baseball has endured, Cora’s accomplishments in Boston a year later are just good enough to convince the sport to forgive, forget and hand him a second chance.

They won’t be good enough to erase another disappointing season like 2019. And they’re certainly not enough to keep him above water if the Sox engage in any funny behavior under his leadership in the near future.

His contract is a two-year deal through 2022. And according to an industry source, it’s not until after the completion of the 2022 season that the Red Sox will have to decide if Cora is the manager of the future and pick up a two-year option that’ll pay him through 2024, or if his second chance didn’t pan out.

In that case, it’s fair to wonder if Cora has just one year to make his mark. The 2021 season could prove that the cheating is behind him, he actually did learn his lesson and still finds a way to lead a team back into contention.

If he does put the team back into the playoffs, the Red Sox would be wise to pick up the option immediately after 2021, or renegotiate his contract to lock him into a long-term deal. Otherwise they’ll let their beloved manager become a lame-duck skipper with a dark cloud lingering over his head and a lot of questions from the media entering 2022.

If Cora can’t get it done in 2021, the pressure will escalate to get the team off to a good start in 2022 or Cora will likely wave goodbye. There’s little incentive for the Sox to keep him around if his contract is due to expire anyway and it’s not working by June 2022.

That gives him about 18 months, give or take, to work his Cora magic and get the Red Sox back on track.

Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom is in a perfect spot now, having re-hired a manager who was beloved by Bloom’s bosses at the top of the Red Sox’ masthead and giving the fanbase a much-needed spark of interest after TV ratings were down an MLB-high 59% in 2020.

Bloom should have no reason to give Cora a long leash. This is his first chance at building a masterpiece. It’s his first chance as the lead architect of a franchise he’s been shaping for the future. But it’s his second chance to hire a manager. If both and Cora flame out, Bloom will likely only get one shot to bring in his own guy.

And while the Rays are in agreement with Bloom to restrict his hiring of any Tampa Bay employees for his first two years in Boston, according to Boston Sports Journal, that restriction is expected to end after 2021, giving Bloom a chance to hire the well-regarded Rays’ bench coach Matt Quatraro, if Cora isn’t getting the job done.

The last time Cora was managing the Red Sox, it wasn’t a fun team to watch.

We expect Cora to bring a different sense of urgency to the Red Sox this year than he did in 2019, when he largely stopped being critical of his players in public, supported them through a disappointing season and was late to make important adjustments to a pitching strategy that had been clearly sniffed out by the opposition.

Now he returns with almost his entire coaching staff still intact, sans for Roenicke as the bench coach and as the bullpen coach. He has an aging slugger, J.D. Martinez, coming off his worst season since he was struggling with the Astros. He has an ace, , coming off Tommy John surgery, a No. 2, Eduardo Rodriguez, trying to fight back from myocarditis, and his former MVP, Mookie Betts, now playing for the Dodgers.

Surely, the Sox will make additions to complete in 2021.

And when they do, expect more pressure on Cora than he’s used to feeling in a town that once bowed to his feet for one magical year.

* MassLive.com

MLB rumors: Blue Jays join Red Sox with interest in Jackie Bradley Jr.; also on Toronto’s list (report)

Christopher Smith

The Blue Jays would like to add a this offseason and Jackie Bradley Jr. and George Springer are on their list of potential targets, MLB Network’s said on the podcast, Big Time Baseball.

“My understanding is that they will be looking at center field," Heyman said. "The Blue Jays are going to look to get a center fielder. And George Springer and Jackie Bradley Jr. are the two names that I hear. I’m not going to swear they’re at the top of the list but they’re on the list. I’m sure they have made contact with Springer and Jackie Bradley Jr. And that’s clearly a position that they will look.”

WEEI’s Rob Bradford reported Sunday that the Red Sox already have approached Bradley about re-signing him for 2021 “and beyond.”

Bradley, a client of super agent Scott Boras, batted .283 with a .364 on-base percentage, .450 , .814 OPS, seven home runs, 11 doubles, 22 RBIs, 32 runs and five stolen bases 55 games (217 plate appearances) during 2020.

Springer batted .265 with a .359 on-base percentage, .540 slugging percentage, .899 OPS, 14 home runs, six doubles two triples, 32 RBIs and 37 runs in 2020 for the Astros.

Bradley is not attached to an $18.9 million qualifying offer. Springer did receive a qualifying offer from the Astros. And so any new team that signs Springer would need to give up draft-pick compensation.

“We’d love to have him for a long time,” Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said after not trading Bradley at the Aug. 31 deadline. “But that was the case months ago. It’s the case yesterday. It’s the case today. It’s the case tomorrow.”

Bradley addressed his impending free agency during the final week of the regular season. He was asked if he would be open to returning to Boston if the opportunity presented itself.

“If the opportunity presented itself, and if things were I guess how things play out, then yes,” Bradley said.

Bradley added, “I’m sure we’ll talk during the offseason. And kind of see where that goes. I’m never really one to talk business, so to speak, until time. But I’m excited for the opportunity. And I think that it’s going to be an interesting one.”

Boston Red Sox rumors: Jackie Bradley Jr. has been ‘approached’ by team about returning in 2021 ‘and beyond’ (report)

Christopher Smith

The Red Sox “have approached” free agent center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. about returning in 2021 “and beyond," WEEI’s Rob Bradford reported.

Bradley, a client of super agent Scott Boras, batted .283 with a .364 on-base percentage, .450 slugging percentage, .814 OPS, seven home runs, 11 doubles, 22 RBIs, 32 runs and five stolen bases 55 games (217 plate appearances) during 2020.

The Red Sox did not offer the defensive standout an $18.9 million qualifying offer. And so they will not receive any compensation if he signs elsewhere.

“We’d love to have him for a long time,” Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said after not trading Bradley at the Aug. 31 deadline. “But that was the case months ago. It’s the case yesterday. It’s the case today. It’s the case tomorrow.”

Back then, Bradley said the Red Sox had not yet approached him about bringing him back.

Bradley — who was a member of the organization since being drafted 40th overall in 2011 — addressed his impending free agency during the final week of the regular season. He was asked if he would be open to returning to Boston if the opportunity presented itself.

“If the opportunity presented itself, and if things were I guess how things play out, then yes,” Bradley said.

Bradley added, “I’m sure we’ll talk during the offseason. And kind of see where that goes. I’m never really one to talk business, so to speak, until time. But I’m excited for the opportunity. And I think that it’s going to be an interesting one.”

Red Sox rumors: Boston, others ‘express initial interest’ in free agent starting Matt Shoemaker (report)

Christopher Smith

The Boston Red Sox are one of the teams “to express initial interest” in free agent starting pitcher Matt Shoemaker, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported.

Shoemaker, a 34-year-old righty, made six starts for the Blue Jays during the 2020 regular season, posting a 4.71 ERA, 5.95 FIP and 1.08 WHIP. He recorded 26 in 28 ⅔ innings. He averaged 8.2 strikeouts and 2.8 walks per nine innings.

Shoemaker is 43-33 with a 3.86 ERA, 4.03 FIP and 1.18 WHIP in 112 major league outings (104 starts). He always has had strong command, averaging 2.2 walks and 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

He has made just 18 starts since the beginning of 2018. He underwent forearm surgery in 2018.

He throws a split-fingered fastball, sinker, slider, four-seam fastball and curveball.

The Red Sox need to add starting pitching this offseason after they finished the 2020 season ranked 25th in starter ERA (5.34), last in starter WHIP (1.56) and 29th in opponent batting average (.279).

Eduardo Rodriguez is expected to return in 2021 after missing the 2020 season because of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart), an after-effect of COVID-19. Meanwhile, Chris Sale is throwing again and expected to return at some point next year after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March.

* WEEI.com

Dave Dombrowski hired Alex Cora the first time, and he's not surprised Chaim Bloom made the same choice

Rob Bradford

Alex Cora will be introduced as manager of the Red Sox Tuesday.

Dave Dombrowski, for one, is not surprised.

“I thought he would manage again, yes. I thought he would,” the former Red Sox President of Baseball Operations told WEEI.com. “Of course it was completely up to the Red Sox if it was this one or another job. But I didn’t have any question he would because he’s a good person. He’s a good manager, which of course is important, but he’s a good person. He made a mistake. He paid his dues for the mistake. If you do that and you handle yourself well society is forgiving in those things. You see other people who have been involved in sports and the world, really, they bounce back. So, yes, I did think he would be, and I would think — there are no other jobs now — but if the Red Sox didn’t hire him someone down the road would hire him quickly because he’s so good.”

So much has changed since Dombrowski was the one introducing Cora as the Red Sox’ skipper. The longtime baseball executive has started to devote himself to bringing to Nashville (telling teams potentially interested in his services he was committed to the project), while Cora also lived life outside baseball for the last 11 months thanks to his suspension.

But while the two have gone their separate ways they remain friends, talking on occasion while going to dinner last offseason after Dombrowski’s departure from the Red Sox.

While the pair have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, neither will forget how it all began, when Dombrowski came to the same conclusion Chaim Bloom just did — Cora was the right guy for the job.

“Yes,” Dombrowski said when asked if he was confident he had found the right guy after interviewing Cora in New York just before the . “But we had only interviewed a couple of other people at that point because we figured we could expand our process if we didn’t find somebody. We interviewed Ron Gardnehire and Brad Ausmus. Not only did I feel that way but the group that interviewed him all felt that way so that was a pretty simple factor. Not that we didn’t like the other people, and of course Ron got hired for the Tigers job and Brad got hired for the Angels guy, we had good candidates in there. But it was apparent that everybody involved in the interview had Alex on top.”

The team has changed since then. And in some ways so has the game. But the same strengths that helped separate Cora back during that manager search three years ago is what likely made the difference this time around, as well.

Dombrowski had done his research on Cora. But it was once he got in front of the player/Winter League and GM/ESPN analyst/bench coach that he was truly sold.

“He’s a very intelligent baseball person,” Dombrowski noted. “And you can tell he has studying the game all along. As I started to do my homework even before the interview and after the interview, when you talk to people who knew Alex everybody said that. He was always the smartest guys in the clubhouse. The managers always loved him. They loved being around him. He was someone who asked questions and was inquisitive about the game. And he just loved baseball. He’s a guy who could talk baseball 24-7. He was just a very, very knowledgable guy and paid attention to little details and was focused on things. Nothing got by him, and that was before he came with us. That was the hallmark in the interview. You could see he was really on top of those things.

“I would say the other thing is his communication skills. He’s just a such a good communicator. He’s a good communicator with you in the interview room, but he’s also a good communicator with people above him, so he could talk to ownership very easily. He’s a good communicator with the players. He’s a good communicator with the media, which I think in Boston is extremely important. And being bilingual is an added plus. That stood out very easily. A great communicator.

“He wants all the information he can possibly receive. He’s very inquisitive. He’s very smart. He made that apparent. But he was also one who would ask you questions. Why is this? What is that? He is just really, really good at that.”

Dombrowski’s instincts proved to be on-point, with Cora quickly showing the ability to maneuver himself through the kind of first-year pitfalls that have swallowed up previous managers.

The end result, of course, was 118 wins in that initial season, culminating in Dombrowski being showered with champagne while taking a celebratory bath in the middle of the Dodger Stadium visiting clubhouse.

Red Sox draft pick Blaze Jordan standing out in Instructional Camp

Rob Bradford

Red Sox fans were getting excited about Blaze Jordan from the get-go.

It started with the name -- which the Red Sox called out as the 89th overall pick in last June's MLB Draft -- and continued with those YouTube videos of the high school dominating -hitting contests.

A few months later, the optimism hasn't gone anywhere.

According to one scout who recently watched the Red Sox Instructional Camp workout in Fort Myers, Fla. -- which runs through Nov. 12 -- Jordan was one of the standouts.

"He jumped out for me," the scout said. "I was impressed with the strength in his hands, his ability to drive the ball to all fields, and the way the ball came off his bat ... and his obvious home run power."

Unlike Red Sox' first-round pick Nick Yorke, Jordan did not participate at the Red Sox' alternate site in Pawtucket, with these current workouts serving as the 17-year-old's first introduction to .

Some of the finer points of the game Jordan has had to improve on are glove-positioning and mobility at third. Offensively, there is still work to be done when it comes to pitch selection.

Another prospect that piqued the scout's interest was Juan Chacon. The 19-year-old Venezuelan signed with the Red Sox for $900,000 in 2019 and has yet to play in a minor-league game. (Click here for SoxProspects.com's scouting report on Chacon.)

Top free agent reliever would love to join Red Sox

Rob Bradford

The Alex Cora effect in free agency seems to already be kicking in.

It started with this Instagram post from Major League Baseball ...

That led to reaction from a certain reliever who just happens to be on the free agent market.

It turns out that Keone Kela would love to call the Red Sox his next team.

Kela was thought to be a closer-candidate not too long ago, getting dealt from the Rangers to Pittsburgh for a top pitching prospect at the 2018 trade deadline. That season he finished saving 24 games in 26 opportunities for the two teams.

But the last two seasons haven't gone how the 27-year-old Kela or Pittsburgh envisioned, with the hard- throwing righty going 1-for-5 in chances in 2019 before appearing in just three games in 2020.

His season ended in September after experiencing forearm inflammation.

* NBC Sports Boston

These Sox will benefit most from Cora's return

John Tomase

The first time the Red Sox hired Alex Cora, it was because they believed he could get the most out of young players. One World Series title later, they were proven right.

The second time the Red Sox hired Alex Cora, it was because a number of those players could again use his guidance. The news that Cora would return to the Red Sox dugout after a one-year suspension was greeted with enthusiasm by fans, but the real excitement is reserved for the clubhouse, where Cora was extremely popular.

Which players will benefit most from his return? Here are three:

1. No player pined more openly for his former skipper than Devers, who blossomed into an offensive force under Cora's tutelage in 2019. Devers backslid a bit in 2020, especially defensively, but he remains an essential building block who will make his first All-Star team next season if he just plays to his potential.

Devers has referred to Cora as a father figure, and sometimes a father's job is to deliver tough love. Devers's conditioning isn't always top-notch, he suffered too many lapses in the field last season, and he can lose his approach at the plate by thinking he's , Sr. and hacking indiscriminately.

Cora should be able to help Devers navigate all three potential minefields. Given the slugger's importance to the roster, Cora could justify his return on Devers alone.

2. There's a theory floating around that the Red Sox rehired Cora in part because they believe it increases their chances to keep Bogaerts in a Red Sox uniform when his opt-out arrives after the 2022 season.

There's no question Bogaerts wanted Cora back. The two stayed in contact all season and like Devers, Bogaerts did not hide his wishes that Cora would reclaim his old job.

Chaim Bloom's take on decision to re-hire Cora Bogaerts signed a team-friendly extension for six years and $120 million last April, and Cora's presence played a significant role in his comfort level with Boston. Bogaerts then delivered the kind of season you usually see out of someone who hasn't yet gotten paid, batting .309 with a career-high 33 homers and 117 RBIs, finishing fifth in the MVP voting, and earning a starting nod on the inaugural all-MLB team.

This is now Bogaerts' team, and if Cora's return makes him happy, that's a good place for the Red Sox to be.

3. Eduardo Rodriguez E-Rod's case is slightly different, because he's currently recovering from heart-related complications following a bout with COVID. His primary concern at the moment is his long-term health.

That said, the Red Sox expect that he'll make a complete recovery, and if he does, no pitcher will benefit more from having Cora in his corner. Rodriguez's talent has never been a question, from winning 10 games at age 22 in 2015 to that 19-win breakout season in 2019.

Cora has never been afraid to ride Rodriguez, who benefits from a firm hand. Cora cured Rodriguez of his frustrating propensity to nibble, especially when ahead in the count, and he also did wonders for the left- hander's confidence.

His decision to stick with E-Rod with two outs and two on in the sixth inning of Game 4 of the ended up backfiring when took him deep for a three-run homer, but the confidence Cora showed in his starter carried over to 2019.

Above all else, the Red Sox must be assured that Rodriguez is healthy. Once that happens, Cora is the right man to get the most out of him.

Was 2020 just a hiccup for J.D. Martinez or something bigger?

John Tomase

Throughout this month, we'll put a member of the 2020 Red Sox and one of their most notable statistics under the microscope while assessing their season and what lies ahead. Today's installment: J.D. Martinez.

.186 If there's one thing J.D. Martinez can do, it's a fastball. He hit .366 against them with a Bondsian .838 slugging percentage in 2017. A year later he joined the Red Sox and hit .361 against fastballs with 26 home runs. The 2019 season saw a tiny regression to .318 with a .574 slugging percentage, but the real shocker came in this truncated 2020 season.

Offseason Scouting Reports: Christian Vazquez | Xander Bogaerts Martinez hit just .186 against fastballs while slugging .372. Those are basically Jacob deGrom numbers, but as a hitter, not a pitcher. So did Martinez really lose that much bat speed, or are his problems fixable? The answer will go a long way towards determining the effectiveness of the 2021 Red Sox offense.

What went right for Martinez in 2020 Uh, how about nothing? He hit just .213 with a .680 OPS. Let's not pretend there was anything redeemable about his season. At least he didn't opt out of his contract.

What went wrong for Martinez in 2020 How about everything? We've already discussed fastballs, but Martinez's failures extended off the field, where he whined about the lack of in-game video. The rest of baseball made an adjustment that he apparently considered a bridge too far, leading former manager Ron Roenicke to intervene early on in an attempt to get Martinez's head right.

Martinez battled his mechanics all season, and his average exit velocity dropped below 90 mph for the first time since Statcast started tracking pitches in 2015.

Early outlook for 2021 OK, this is a little scary. Martinez chose not to opt out of his contract because he didn't see a market developing. This should be good news for the Red Sox, who retain one of their most thunderous bats, but he'll merely be a $20 million albatross if he repeats his struggles.

Still, let's give the 33-year-old the benefit of the doubt and assume that a more normal offseason, the return of manager Alex Cora, and experience without in-game video puts him a better mental place. In that case, he's probably the best DH in baseball and the Red Sox offense will be lucky to have him.

* BostonSportsJournal.com

As Red Sox prepare to welcome back Alex Cora, some answers are still due

Sean McAdam

On Tuesday afternoon, the Red Sox will (re)introduce their manager Alex Cora. It’s a hiring that has largely been met with positive reaction from the team’s fan base.

After all, Cora is associated with better days for the franchise, having led the Red Sox to their 2018 World Series victory, which followed a dominant regular season. His confidence, leadership skills and unique ability to relate to his players resonated with the fans, making him the club’s most popular manager since .

Now that Cora has returned, there’s a feeling that the Sox are, once again, headed in the right direction again. Of all the potential additions the team may make this offseason, it’s not hyperbole to suggest that they have already made their most significant and popular one.

Still, Cora’s triumphant return does not come with a completely clean slate. Following the completion of his season-long suspension by Major League Baseball for his actions during the 2017 season with the , Cora should be forthcoming about his actions then and make clear what steps he’ll take to ensure that they don’t happen again.

(Cora has partly done this in the team’s press release last Friday afternoon, but some carefully worded apology on a piece of paper, some of which was likely guided by others, is insufficient. We need to hear the words from Cora himself.)

This isn’t about shaming Cora in any way or suggesting that he’s in need of salvation. But at the very least, Red Sox fans are owed an explanation of what happened three years ago and why. Providing this will only help Cora and his employers move forward.

Notably, the two others who were suspended by MLB for the same infraction have taken significantly approaches in recent weeks and Cora can learn from the divergent paths.

A.J. Hinch, the former Astros manager, was direct and humble in recounting his culpability while being introduced as the new manager of the . Hinch answered all questions, expressed his remorse and said he didn’t want his new past actions to unfairly stain the reputation of his new club. Bravo.

In stark contrast, former Houston GM Jeff Luhnow has consistently denied any wrongdoing and this week, plans to announce plans to sue the Astros for wrongful termination.

Want to guess which one Cora should emulate when he speaks Tuesday? In the unlikely event Cora is unsure, he could take note that Hinch has already begun the process of image rehabilitation and has a multi- year deal in place to manage while Luhnow is unlikely to succeed in his litigation and almost certainly will not work in the game again.

Since he was suspended last spring, Cora has spoken publicly only twice: once to the Boston Globe and once to ESPN. (A cynic could point out that the former is owned by his once and present boss and the latter was also once his employer). But a more full accounting is due.

Cora should also address what happened with the Red Sox in 2018, too. By any measure, the rule-bending that took place by the Red Sox that year was not anywhere as nefarious as what went on with the Astros the year before. But it was enough to warrant an investigation by MLB, resulting in a suspension for a staff assistant and the team forfeiting its second-round pick in last summer’s draft.

If nothing else, the fact that MLB found the need to conduct full-scale investigations into two franchises in consecutive seasons, with Cora the lone link between the two teams, is troubling.

Cora can ease any worrisome thoughts by coming clean on his activities with both franchises. MLB found him largely uninvolved with what went on in Boston but his own accounting of what took place would prove useful.

When Cora is done with his mea culpa, perhaps it will be the Red Sox’ turn.

According to the team’s press release Sunday night, Red Sox ownership will not take part in Tuesday’s media availability, principal owner John Henry apparently having fulfilled his annual public appearance quota last February in Fort Myers.

Without Henry or chairman present to take any accountability, it will fall to team president/CEO Sam Kennedy to do so.

Here’s hoping Kennedy will reveal what, exactly, has changed over the last 11 months? In January, the Red Sox were left with no choice but to immediately disassociate themselves from Cora. In a press release at the time, the Sox decided ”that it would not be possible for Alex to effectively lead the club going forward.” Now, Cora is back and all, it would seem, is forgiven.

Again, to be clear: this isn’t to suggest that people don’t deserve a second chance. Cora needn’t be forced to wear some scarlet letter for the rest of his professional life.

But some explanations from both sides would be nice. Is that too much to ask?

*

Alex Cora’s coaches are back, and confident he can handle the new pressure

Jen McCaffrey

Shortly after the regular season ended, with Ron Roenicke fired and their managerial search well underway, the Red Sox announced that the bulk of the coaching staff had been retained for next season. Alex Cora wouldn’t be named manager for another three and a half weeks, but most of his staff was already in place.

On one hand, it offered a vote of confidence for the coaches. The next manager would have to learn to work with them. On the other, it put them in an uncomfortable spot, wondering to whom they’d actually be reporting.

So when word finally came late last week that Cora had indeed been rehired, there was a collective exhale among the staff after an anxious month in limbo.

“It was a different situation for all of us that were fortunate to be able to come back,” first base coach said. “Having Alex back is one of those things (getting to know someone) we don’t have to go through. Hope we can just hit the ground running.”

That familiarity with so many facets of the organization certainly gives Cora a head start coming back to a tough job, one with a host of new challenges compared to the one he last managed.

But perhaps the biggest challenge will be the one Cora brought on himself, one he’ll likely have to address at every turn next season. How will Cora — coming off a season-long suspension for his role in the Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing — and the Sox handle the criticism of his re-hiring throughout the industry and by fans next season?

“I know he regrets the things that happened in his past and paid the consequences and now he’s moving forward,” hitting coach said. “I believe in second chances. I believe none of us are perfect and it happened and he’s apologized and is moving forward and I think you’ve got to give him credit for that. It’s not easy to do that, humble yourself in that way. Knowing Alex, he’ll come through in those situations regardless of how fans react. He’s going to handle those situations in a professional manner and represent the organization in a good way.”

Goodwin knows it may take some time for people outside the organization to understand why Cora is so well-liked by the club, but there’s no question about their loyalty to Cora, who will hold his re-introductory press conference Tuesday.

“We’ll have to navigate through and have some tough times on the road or wherever we are,” Goodwin said. “Those are some of the things we’re going to have to be able to handle professionally. I know Alex will and I’m sure all of us on the staff will be on the same page. There’s a lot of love for Alex out there.”

While the Red Sox are hoping Cora can push the right buttons to get players like Rafael Devers, J.D. Martinez and back on track. They also want to replicate more of his success from the 2018 championship and less of what happened in the disappointing 2019 campaign.

Goodwin admitted they weren’t as focused heading into 2019 as they could have been. It caught up to them.

“You really have to pay attention to detail, and we might have slipped up on the paying attention to detail coming from a championship season,” he said.

After learning the hard way, the plan was to regroup and take those lessons learned into the 2020 season. Then the sign-stealing scandal happened. And the pandemic hit. Now Goodwin and Hyers are hoping to start fresh with Cora back at the helm.

“Just happy to have him back,” Goodwin said. “You definitely want to give a guy a second chance to come back and right a wrong, if you want to call it that.”