Red Sox Dismiss Alex Cora, Install Interim Manager Chad Tracy

After a 17-1 win over Baltimore, the Red Sox terminated manager Alex Cora and five coaches on Saturday. Triple-A Worcester manager Chad Tracy was named interim and won his debut 5-3 the next day.

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Boston slipped to 10-17 after 27 games (11-17 after two wins), last in the AL East. The offense posted home runs (18), 28th in slugging (.354) and 29th in wRC+ (84). Cora’s three-year, $21.75 million extension signed in July 2024 leaves him owed $13.54 million through 2027.

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Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, who runs the baseball operation, made the recommendation. Team president Sam Kennedy said Breslow’s “bold” move was needed for a “fresh start.” Owner John Henry attended the meetings but did not address the clubhouse. Breslow added the decision gives the club “135 games ahead of us” to chase a division.

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Saturday morning: decision after the 17-1 win; Saturday evening: announcement; Sunday: press conference and Tracy’s debut; Monday: three-game series in Toronto.

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Firing a manager after 27 games is unprecedented, signaling a front-office-led strategy. The club hopes a “fresh start” will reverse offensive woes, but the abrupt change raises concerns about stability, player morale and front-office credibility.

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Shortstop Trevor Story called the explanation “unsatisfactory” and said coaches “didn’t get a fair shot.” Outfielder Roman Anthony urged the team to “adapt and overcome.” Pitcher Garrett Crochet said the coaches “paid the cost of our own crime.”

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Analyst Mark DeRosa called the move a “bandit” benefit for Cora. Former outfielder Kevin Pillar noted that “a manager can’t win games on his own.” ESPN’s Ken Rosenthal said the Red Sox gave players no chance to ask questions, a “lack of respect.” Sources differ on the record at the time (10-17 vs. 11-17) and on whether five or six coaches were let go. John Henry’s view was not disclosed.

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• “Craig leads our baseball operation and he's made several bold decisions and recommendations, and this was one of them,” — Sam Kennedy, Team President

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• “It gives us 135 games ahead of us, so we’ve got almost a full season’s worth of run to take advantage of this fresh start and ultimately to compete for a division.” — Craig Breslow, Chief Baseball Officer

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• “Some of the best coaches in the world didn't get a fair shot.” — Trevor Story, Shortstop

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• “We’ve been playing terrible, and it kind of feels like those guys paid the cost of our own crime,” — Garrett Crochet, Pitcher

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Boston travels to Toronto for a three-game series with Tracy managing. The front office hinted pitching coach Andrew Bailey could be a future manager, while Cora remains under contract and may be pursued by teams such as the New York Mets or Philadelphia Phillies.

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