The Boston Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora on Saturday, parting ways with the man who led the franchise to its most dominant season in franchise history, after a disastrous start to 2026.
The move came hours after the Red Sox destroyed the Baltimore Orioles 17-1, an almost ironic backdrop to a franchise-altering decision. Despite the blowout win, the Red Sox sit at 10-17, seven and a half games back from first, last in the American League East and well below the expectations set by last year’s playoff appearance.
Red Sox principal owner John Henry issued a statement on the decision, crediting Cora for his success with the team over the years.
“Alex Cora led this organization to one of the greatest seasons in Red Sox history in 2018, and for that, and the many years that followed, he will always have our deepest gratitude,” said Henry. (h/t Bob Nightengale of USA Today).
The warmth of Henry’s words added to the sting. Cora was under contract through 2027 after signing a three-year, $21.75 million extension in 2024, making him one of the highest-paid managers in baseball.
In seven-plus seasons at the helm, Cora compiled a 619-541 record and a .534 winning percentage, placing third amongst all-time Red Sox managers in wins. His 2018 campaign remains the modern standard for the club: 108 wins and a World Series title over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The years that followed were inconsistent, including back-to-back last-place finishes in 2022 and 2023, though Boston returned to the postseason in 2021 and 2025.
Cora was not the only casualty. The Red Sox also dismissed hitting coach Peter Fatse, bench coach Ramon Vazquez, third base coach Kyle Hudson, assistant hitting coach Dillon Lawson and MLB hitting strategy coach Joe Cronin. Game-planning and run-prevention coach Jason Varitek was reassigned to a new position within the organization rather than being let go outright.
Triple-A Worcester manager Chad Tracy will serve as interim manager, according to Nightengale.
The bigger question now falls on chief baseball operations officer Craig Breslow, whose roster construction decisions have led to Boston’s struggles in 2026. A few of these players include high-profile stars like Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Trevor Story and Marcelo Mayer, all players who have underperformed through the team’s 27 games.
Whether a new voice — or voices — in the dugout can spark a turnaround, or whether Breslow finds himself next to go, will define the Red Sox’s summer.
