The Boston Red Sox’s decision to dismiss World Series-winning manager Alex Cora, along with five coaches, has ignited a wave of criticism from fans and both current and former players. This drastic move comes in response to the team’s underwhelming 10-17 start to the season.
In a candid expression of discontent, a former Red Sox player reportedly told Rob Bradford, a host on local sports radio WEEI, “It’s like s***ting your pants and changing your shirt.” This sentiment captures the frustration felt by many who believe the team’s woes stem from questionable decisions made by the ownership and front-office leadership since Cora’s championship victory in 2018.
One pivotal moment in this saga was the controversial trade orchestrated by former chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom. In 2020, Bloom traded star outfielder Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers, a move that many felt yielded little in return and weakened the team’s core.
The situation only worsened when Craig Breslow, Bloom’s successor, signed third baseman Alex Bregman, causing friction with then-third baseman Rafael Devers. Devers was eventually traded to the San Francisco Giants in another deal that left fans unsatisfied.
Compounding the frustration, Bregman opted out of his contract to sign a lucrative five-year, $175 million deal with the Chicago Cubs. This prompted growing dissatisfaction from Red Sox supporters towards Breslow, CEO Sam Kennedy, owner John Henry, and chairman Tom Werner. The discontent reached a boiling point as the team struggled, losing 17 of their first 27 games, leading up to the sweeping changes made last Saturday.
But when Bregman then opted out of his contract to sign a five-year, $175 million deal with the Chicago Cubs, Red Sox nation began to blame Breslow and CEO Sam Kennedy as well as owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner. And those feelings only intensified as the Sox dropped 17 of their first 27 games of the season leading up to Saturday’s house cleaning.
Alex Cora, who guided the Red Sox to a World Series win in 2018, was fired on Saturday
Craig Breslow (left) and Sam Kennedy (right) discuss manager Alex Cora’s dismissal with reporters on Sunday in Baltimore, where they were forced to use an Orioles backdrop
Many Red Sox fans are calling for principal owner John Henry (pictured) to sell the team
‘Just no accountability on [Breslow’s] part,’ a former Red Sox player who remains in Major League Baseball told the Boston Globe’s Gabrielle Starr. ‘Fires everyone but his pitching coaches?!… He should fire himself.’
Two current players, shortstop Trevor Story and relief pitcher Garrett Whitlock, were visibly frustrated with the front office while talking to reporters in Baltimore’s visiting clubhouse on Sunday.
‘They spoke,’ Story said after a team meeting with players, coaches, execs and ownership. ‘There just have to be more conversations had. I wouldn’t say it was satisfactory.’
Story said the players would have their own meeting at some point.
As Whitlock revealed, Breslow spoke for roughly two minutes before interim manager Chad Tracy addressed the players for ‘five or six’ minutes. Meanwhile, Kennedy and Henry were on hand, but did not address the players, who were reportedly not given a chance to ask questions.
‘Listen, they made it very clear that we get paid to play baseball and we just need to focus on playing baseball,’ Whitlock said.
Trevor Story told reporters on Sunday that Cora and his staff were among MLB’s ‘best’
Story got a similar impression from the team’s executives.
‘If this shows us anything, it’s that we’re here to play baseball,’ Story said, as quoted by MassLive.com. ‘That’s it. We don’t make decisions. We don’t have any input on that. We’re here to play baseball and our job is to win games. I think that’s the message. We have to find a way to win games.’
According to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo, several players were visibly upset on Sunday, including catcher Carlos Narvaez and outfielder Jarren Duran, who reportedly dismissed approaching media in Baltimore.
Story blamed the mood in the locker room on the decision to fire Cora and his staff.
‘It’s just tough for the guys that were let go because they’re some of the best coaches in the world and they care more than anybody,’ Story said. ‘Just felt like they didn’t get a fair shot at it.’
As for Tracy, he the interim manager who was called up from Triple-A Worcester on Saturday night won his first MLB game as skipper on Sunday as the Red Sox beat the Orioles, 5-3. Ceddanne Rafaela led Boston with a double and a triple, while first baseman Willson Contreras knocked his sixth home run of the year.
Boston, which sits in last in the American League East, was set to go to Toronto after Sunday’s matinee for a three-game set.
Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock said players didn’t have a chance to ask questions to execs
Understandably, fans have been in a downward spiral since Saturday’s decision, with several urging Henry to unload the club.
‘What a terribly run franchise,’ one remarked online. ‘Fire Breslow, sell the f***ing team. F*** these clowns.’
‘Kennedy is the problem. He certainly is no Larry Lucchino,’ another critic added, referring to a deceased former executive who helped turn the franchise around in the early 2000s. ‘They can fire all the CBOs and managers they want, but the issue is Kennedy and his philosophy.’
Kennedy told reporters the decision was Breslow’s to make, while Breslow told reporters ‘these changes were warranted.’
What’s more, Breslow also said the Red Sox still see themselves competing for a playoff spot in 2026.
