One of the youngest managers in baseball, Alex Cora has established himself as a forward-thinking and progressive baseball mind, earning himself an extension.
According to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, the Boston Red Sox are extending manager Alex Cora. Cora’s new deal, which Bradford estimates will be worth more than his previous contract, will contain a guaranteed 2021 season and a team option for the 2022 season. Jen McCaffrey of the Athletic confirmed the report.
He made $800,000 this season and will, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, earn $900,000 in 2019, though his salary in the next two guaranteed seasons remains a mystery.
Cora, 43, was a prime candidate for an extension, seeing as he not only was excellent in his year as the manager, but was also given an implicit vote of confidence by his players, ownership and fans.
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A former member of the Red Sox as a player, Cora and his coaching staff will now face impossibly high expectations for the next set of seasons given their recent World Series victory. With a stellar 108-win season in his maiden voyage, Cora, who played over 1200 major league games with six different teams, will attempt to carry the momentum accrued by his squad into a hopefully fruitful 2019 season.
According to Baseball Reference, the native of Caguas, Puerto Rico was ejected just a single time, and challenged 43 calls, 22 of which were overturned. His managerial log also notes that he was quite successful in calling steals, particularly of second. He engaged well with his players and cohesively created a positive atmosphere in the clubhouse.
All in all, one of the game’s most exciting new skippers will get the chance to flex his strategic muscles for another few seasons. It shouldn’t be long before other younger managers see extensions on their deals as well.
The Boston Red Sox had tremendous strides in Alex Cora’s first season on the bench. Now he will get to see how much further he can take them.