Red Sox fans would have gone wild if Alex Cora hadn’t signed an extension. When the Boston Red Sox and Cora reached a three-year, $21.75 million deal this past July, it surprised many. While the continuation of their partnership wasn’t shocking, the timing certainly was.
Many expected Cora to finish his contract and then seek opportunities in the offseason, potentially with the highest bidder. Last season, Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell took a similar route, which paid off with a lucrative deal, but Cora’s situation was different.
In the end, Cora chose to stay in Boston and put an end to speculation about his future. This decision looks wise, especially considering other managerial options he might have faced this winter. However, MassLive’s Chris Cotillo pointed out that the Philadelphia Phillies could have been a serious threat to lure him away, which would have driven Red Sox fans up the wall.
Imagine the chaos if Cora had left for the Phillies! Cotillo highlighted Phillies president Dave Dombrowski’s long-standing appreciation for Cora, stemming from their time together in Boston from 2018-19, noting a mutual respect between them.
Ultimately, it’s all hypothetical now, as Cora is signed with Boston through 2027. The Phillies have also extended Rob Thomson’s contract through 2026. But what if the deal with the Red Sox hadn’t happened? Back in May, Cora had said, “We’re not talking about contracts during the season,” but something changed by the summer. Whatever that change was, Red Sox fans can rest easy knowing he’s not heading to Philadelphia.
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