Why There’s a Good Chance Alex Cora Doesn’t Return to the Red Sox After All

The Boston Red Sox made it known that manager Ron Roenicke wasn’t returning as the team’s manager before the 2020 season was even over, and everyone immediately was calling for Chaim Bloom to bring back Alex Cora, who the team fired after the conclusion of the Houston Astros sign-stealing investigation.

However, if the Red Sox are going to try to bring Cora back to Fenway, they will have some competition from at least one other team.

It was reported that Detroit Tigers GM Al Avila told reporters that both Alex Cora and A.J. Hinch are on his list of potential candidates to be interviewed for the managerial vacancy that was left by Ron Gardenhire, who retired this year.

“Really, I can’t say that I’ve eliminated anybody,” Avila said. “The cheating scandal is not a good thing, obviously. They’re serving their suspensions, and once their suspensions are over, then they’ll be free to pursue their careers. So we have not eliminated anybody from our list at this point.”

Now you might not think that the Detroit Tigers would be much competition to a huge market team like the Boston Red Sox, but Detroit has a lot of young talent that is beginning to arrive in the big leagues including former #1 pick Casey Mize. Spencer Torkelson, the 2020 #1 overall pick out of Arizona State University, was a part of the club’s group of players at the alternate site so you could argue a talented manager like Cora could quickly turn around their franchise–especially considering the weak division they are in.

Another thing to think about is who Chaim Bloom wants as the skipper of his franchise. Although Cora already is a World Series champion manager, he was already there when Bloom arrived so Alex Cora is not “his guy”. Bloom could easily want to bring in one of his people from Tampa Bay like bench coach Matt Quatraro.

Alex Cora might not be a sure bet to return as manager of the Red Sox after all.

(Photo: Douglas DeFelice/USA Today)