The Red Sox have always danced between chaos and glory, but Cora’s extension last summer came with a twist.
Kennedy’s recent admission of front-office “scuffle” and Cora’s non-negotiable condition have fans buzzing. What’s really behind Boston’s renewed vows?
Sam Kennedy, president of the Red Sox, recently revealed this secret bargaining. “He really just wanted to ensure that we were going to be committed to winning,” Kennedy said. Yes, a manager asking the owners for a commitment. How daring!
This demand followed several disappointing seasons when the Red Sox missed the playoffs five times in six years since winning the World Series in 2018.
“We’ve obviously scuffled in years” the owner of Red Sox acknowledged. But what’s more promising is that “there’s always been that commitment, that desire, burning desire to win championships, and we share that with A.C,” The Red Sox prez shared.
Cora’s demand is clear: Top talent trading and victory vision back on the agenda. In response, among the many offseason investments was a three-year, $120 million contract with star infielder Alex Bregman.
And Breggy‘s response clarifies it all: “I’m a winning player. It’s a winning organization.”
Picture this: A manager fresh off a last-place 2024 season, staring down an ownership group that slashed payroll by $21.75M. Cora didn’t just want a contract—he wanted a blood oath. Surprising?
Cora’s impact: More than just a manager
Here’s the kicker: Why would FSG, owners of Liverpool FC and the Pittsburgh Penguins, bend to a manager’s will? Simple.
Cora holds the one card they can’t bluff: 2018’s World Series magic. But can he replicate it?
Though the Red Sox intend to decrease their payroll, they have just signed A-Breg. It’s a sign that they are getting serious about winning again, as it would put their 2025 payroll over the luxury-tax threshold of $241 million. Evidently, Cora’s concern was not only on spending but on stability.
Alex Cora’s insistence on a ‘commitment to winning’ has a tremendous impact on culture and leadership. Cora has established this benchmark to communicate his expectations and what matters the most in the organization to the front office and the players.
“My job is to put these guys in a position to be successful every day.” Morale and a sense of shared purpose, manifesting in better performance on the field.
And what sets Cora apart? How he would deal with a crisis.
Think about the positional conflict between Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers. While Devers insisted he wanted to stay at third, Cora responded by arranging meetings between the two players, so they could discuss roles and expectations. Well, that could definitely alleviate potential friction and bolster his reputation as a manager who knows how to handle prima donnas.
Cora’s term as manager of the Boston Red Sox has been a triumphs-and-trials rollercoaster. He became the named manager in 2017 and, in 2018, after a record-breaking 108-win season, the team captured the WS ring. However, he was suspended and forced to leave in 2020 when he was implicated in the Astros sign-stealing scandal.
Then again, Alex Cora bounced back and, resilient as ever, led the Red Sox to the ALCS in 2021.
However, his following campaigns have been a mixed bag. So, now the bigger question is: Can Cora and FSG transform their “burning desire” into another championship parade? Or is this just another Fenway fairy tale?