The Red Sox’s search for a new manager officially began Tuesday after the team fired Alex Cora, one day after MLB revealed the disgraced skipper helped orchestrate the Astros’ illegal sign-stealing scandal when he was Houston’s bench coach in 2017.
Cora joins now-former Houston manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow in the unemployment line, while the 44-year-old Cora also waits to learn whether MLB will suspend him — as it did Hinch and Luhnow one season each — for a separate incident involving the Red Sox’s possible use of electronics during the 2018 season, when they won the World Series in Cora’s first season as manager.
While that all gets sorted out, here’s a look at who Boston could turn to as its next manager. The Red Sox better move fast, however, as pitchers and catchers report to spring training early next month.
Jason Varitek
The former Red Sox catcher, who famously fought Alex Rodriguez in the middle of a 2004 game, has been working with the team since 2012 and currently serves as a catchers and pitchers coach. Varitek has no managerial experience, but that didn’t stop Boston from hiring Cora in 2018. Plus, Varitek’s famed Red Sox career, which included helping to snap the franchise’s 86-year World Series drought, would likely make the 47-year-old an instant home-run hire among fans.
Dusty Baker
Baker is a wild card. The longtime manager was fired by the Nationals in 2017 after failing to win in the playoffs and in 22 seasons hasn’t won it all as a skipper. Could he finally get to the Fall Classic, with this Red Sox team? The bigger question might be what direction newly hired chief of baseball operations Chaim Bloom will take the team: Trade superstar center fielder Mookie Betts, who will likely test free agency next offseason, or go for it all with the current Boston core.
Matt Quatraro
Speaking of Bloom, the well-respected 36-year-old came from Tampa Bay and could poach Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro, The Athletic suggests. Quataro was a finalist for several managerial openings this offseason, and the 46-year-old is considered a rising star in the sport.
Ref;nypost.com
Speaking of Bloom, the well-respected 36-year-old came from Tampa Bay and could poach Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro, The Athletic suggests. Quataro was a finalist for several managerial openings this offseason, and the 46-year-old is considered a rising star in the sport.