Boston Red Sox' broadcaster Lou Merloni doesn't think that manager Alex Cora will be back with the organization in 2025.
He made the comments on 'The Greg Hill Show' on WEEI in Boston on Thursday morning. Merloni also added that if the Los Angeles Dodgers don't win the World Series this year and move on from Dave Roberts that Cora would be a perfect fit as the Dodgers manager.
You can watch Merloni's comments below:
Lou Merloni doesn't think Alex Cora will be back with the Red Sox after this season! pic.twitter.com/8s1CjUlY3R
— The Greg Hill Show (@TheGregHillShow) February 29, 2024
First, what Merloni is saying has a lot of truth and value to it.
1) Alex Cora is in the final year of his contract with the Red Sox. Given where managerial salaries have gone (thanks to Craig Counsell as Merloni mentions), Cora is headed for a payday in 2025. Does he want to simply hit the open market after the season and see what's available?
2) Do the Red Sox want to pay him that type of rate? Cora has all the leverage here. If the team wants him, the rate is established. If the team doesn't, then he hits the market and has 29 other teams to potentially choose from.
3) The Red Sox appear in a state of perpetual rebuild. Is Cora intrigued by a constantly unsettled roster or does he want to go to an established winner in the offseason?
4) If the Dodgers do move on from Roberts, Cora would be a solid choice. He has already won a World Series (2018) with the Red Sox and formerly played for the Dodgers, so there's some recognition among the fanbase.
Cora is 440-370 as a major league manager. He has managed the Red Sox for five seasons already. As a player, he was a 14-year veteran who spent seven years with the Dodgers.
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