Red Sox
“There are many ways to accomplish what we set out to do.”
Alex Cora answered questions from the media Monday during the winter meetings. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Red Sox manager Alex Cora answered questions from the media during the MLB Winter Meetings on Monday.
Beyond his comments on potential Red Sox target Alex Bregman, here are some highlights from Cora’s latest scrimmage.
Leaving Soto
The Red Sox’s efforts to sign superstar slugger Juan Soto failed Sunday as the outfielder signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets, the largest contract awarded in professional sports history.
The Red Sox’ final offer to Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, was “around $700 million over 15 years,” according to MassLive’s Sean McAdam.
An established slugger and base machine at the peak of his career like Soto, 26, would be a transformative presence in Boston’s lineup.
But Cora pointed out that the Red Sox have already changed course and implemented several contingency plans after losing the record-breaking bidding process.
“We have plan A, plan A1, A2, A3, A4,” Cora said of how the Red Sox are moving forward. “So there are many ways to accomplish what we set out to do. We talked about winning the division, right, and making the playoffs. And there are different avenues, different ways, and we can attack them, and hopefully we can execute them.
Even though Boston doesn’t have much to show when it comes to the team’s aggressive pursuit of Soto, Cora said he enjoys playing a role in the recruiting process.
“For my part, it was fun getting to know people,” Cora said. “The kid understands. Let’s put it this way. Obviously, I always have fun with the group that represents him. It was a good experience. I learned a lot.
Does Devers stay at third base?
With Triston Casas linked to trade rumors and Boston reportedly giving away a third baseman like Bregman, there has been a lot of speculation about where Devers will play on the ballpark in 2025 and beyond.
Although Devers remains an impact bat, the 28-year-old’s defense has been seen as a deficient area in his game – with a potential move to first base or DH giving Boston a chance to bolster its interior defense and d Add another impact stick to the hot corner.
But Cora pushed back on the assertion that the Red Sox were considering a position change for Devers in the future.
“I don’t know where that came from,” Cora said of rumors of Devers moving to first or DH. “I didn’t tell Raffy about it. I never spoke to his agent about it. Obviously, we are talking about his defense. In fact, I think last year he did an outstanding job, especially on his left.
“He actually struggled when he was playing on the team – if you look at his mistakes, he failed to play shortstop. This is something we need to get better at. But I think if something like that happens with Raffy, with [Triston] Casas, with Trevor [Story]with [Ceddanne] Rafaela — the player will know first. And I guarantee you we haven’t had those conversations.
Of course, some of that sentiment might change if a player like Casas was coveted by a team with a stock of talented, cost-controlled young pitchers. But Boston can also add a right-handed bat like Bregman without overhauling its entire infield if Bregman chooses to play second base in 2025.
The more, the merrier
As impactful as Soto is at the plate, the Red Sox offseason would be far from over even if they signed him to a 15-year contract.
If Boston wants to make a push for baseball’s playoffs for the first time since 2021, it will need more talent at the top of its rotation.
It’s a sentiment Cora agreed with, even though Boston already has a strong base of pitchers like Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito.
“I think it’s important at the end of the day,” Cora said of targeting more starters. “Our rotation, they did a good job last year. But the more, the better. That’s how we see it, right? And we talked to a lot of people, a lot of guys and like I said, now it’s up to us to execute and get our team better.
Boston has reportedly already met with top free agents on the market in Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, while trade targets like Garrett Crochet and Jesús Luzardo could also be attractive options if the Red Sox covet younger, cost-controlled arms.
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