Alex Cora’s Departure: Email Farewell and Red Sox’s New Direction

Boston chief baseball officer Craig Breslow terminated Alex Cora’s contract on Saturday night after the Red Sox posted a 12-19 record, leaving them last in the American League East. The move ended a three-year, $21.75 million extension signed in July 2024. Chad Tracy, manager of Boston’s Triple-A affiliate, was named interim manager and posted a 2-2 record, including an 8-1 series loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.

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Cora first joined Boston as a player in a 2005 trade-deadline deal, re-signing after the 2006 season and contributing to the 2007 World Series championship. He returned as manager before the 2018 season, guiding the team to a franchise-record 108 regular-season wins and a World Series title. Subsequent seasons produced mixed results, with last-place finishes in 2023 and 2024. The 2025–2026 period saw a decline attributed in part to the Mookie Betts trade, which analysts describe as a “tailspin” from which the club has not recovered.

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• Alex Cora – Former player, manager (2018-2026), author of the farewell email.

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• Craig Breslow – Red Sox chief baseball officer who executed the firing.

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• Chad Tracy – Triple-A manager appointed interim head coach.

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• Dave Dombrowski – Former Red Sox president of baseball operations, now Philadelphia Phillies PBO, who offered Cora a managerial role that Cora declined.

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• Chris Cotillo – Red Sox beat reporter for MassLive who obtained the email.

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• 2005 – Cora acquired by Boston via trade.

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• 2006-2008 – Plays for Red Sox, wins 2007 World Series.

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• 2018 – Hired as manager; leads team to 108-win season and World Series championship.

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• 2023-2024 – Team finishes last in AL East.

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• July 2024 – Cora signs three-year, $21.75 M extension.

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• Early 2026 – Red Sox record falls to 12-19.

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• Saturday, 2026 – Breslow fires Cora.

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• Four days later – Cora distributes farewell email to organization.

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• Immediately after – Chad Tracy assumes interim managerial duties.

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• 108 regular-season wins (2018) – franchise record.

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• World Series champion (2018).

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• 12-19 win-loss record at time of firing, last in AL East.

What Alex Cora told Red Sox in powerful email after firing

• 2-2 record under interim manager Chad Tracy.

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• $21.75 million contract extension signed July 2024.

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Cora’s email, obtained by MassLive, thanked the organization, highlighted his gratitude for the “unique, special and magical” Fenway experience, and expressed disappointment at not “finishing the job.” He affirmed respect for the club’s direction and encouraged staff to “keep showing up every day” and not take the Fenway environment for granted. After the dismissal, Dave Dombrowski reportedly offered Cora the Philadelphia Phillies managerial vacancy, which Cora declined, citing a desire to serve as a “full-time dad” for the 2026 season.

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Analysts and fans linked the firing to the Red Sox’s “brutal start” and last-place standing, noting that the team’s performance had deteriorated since the 2025 Mookie Betts trade. Critics argued that despite Cora’s early success, the club’s inability to sustain competitiveness justified the leadership change.

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• “Good morning. I wanted to take a moment before heading home to thank you,” — Alex Cora, email

What Alex Cora told Red Sox in powerful email after firing

• “Being part of this organization has meant a great deal to me.” — Alex Cora, email

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• “It’s unique, special and magical.” — Alex Cora, email

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• “We are happy to have the time to be full time parents, that's the truth, but also we are disappointed that we didn't finish the job,” — Alex Cora, email

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• “One last thing, keep showing up everyday and don't take the Fenway experience for granted, your working place is the best in the world,” — Alex Cora, email

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The dismissal ends Cora’s eight-season tenure and forces the Red Sox to reassess managerial direction amid a struggling season. The club’s next hiring decision will influence roster construction, fan engagement, and the broader managerial market, where Cora is expected to attract multiple offers after 2026.

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Sources uniformly report the 12-19 record and the 2-2 interim record, but no official Red Sox statement beyond the firing is provided. The exact date of the Saturday-night termination is unspecified, and details of the organization’s internal response remain undisclosed.

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Chad Tracy will continue as interim manager while Boston evaluates permanent candidates. Alex Cora has indicated he will not manage during the 2026 season, positioning him as a potential free agent for future managerial openings after the season concludes.

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