A pitching master-class
Alex Cora was well aware what had been written.
First, came the suggestion in a Boston Globe column that he "could be in hot water." Then, a day later, the Athletic quoted team president Sam Kennedy that both Cora and Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom would be definitively back next season.
Appearing on the Red Sox Network pregame show with Will Flemming, Cora responded the flurry of conversation when it came to his future with the Red Sox.
"I don’t know. I don’t even know what to think about that. There was an article a few days ago. I was like, ‘OK …’ Nevermind," Cora said with a chuckle when asked about the reports.
"We’ve got a program and we’re working for now and the future. Obviously, for now, it’s been tough. We have to be honest with you. You know how I feel about it. We keep working. You play other teams and you’re like, ‘Man, a hot streak, that’s what we need. Let’s win 10 in a row and see what happens.’ But obviously, it has been very difficult. We talked about this last year after the season. They picked up the two options and it’s something me and my family, we’re willing to do. At the end you know how it is, those two boys, they are five and they are getting older but they love what I do. They don’t understand that the whole complex of this but they love it. And obviously my family they’re all in, and if they are all in I’m here, I love it. I love this whole experience, the roller coaster, the noise, it doesn’t bother me. It bothers me, losing. I take it very personal. But we have to finish strong here. Like I said before, let’s make those seven last games count and see what happens. But if it doesn’t happen we’re going to have a good offseason and we’re going to be ready for next year."
Cora is signed through the 2024 after the club announced it was picking up the two options on his current deal.
After their second straight loss to the Twins Tuesday night, the Red Sox reside nine games out of the final Wild Card spot, sitting six games under .500.
When asked about what might be the tipping point will be when a decision to move on does appear, the 46-year-old Cora immediately explained that family - that includes his 5-year-old twin boys - will come first.
"I believe so," he said when asked if the raising of his young sons will be the main factor in mapping out his future. "It’s a different family. I have an older one. She’s a sophomore in college (Boston College). She just started yesterday. And we have these two boys and they’re in kindergarten. We’ll see. Instead of going to first grade in Puerto Rico they will have to go to first grade in Newton, and that will be good. Family first. That’s the most important thing. We’re in a great position now. We love it. It’s only a flight away from San Juan and then drive to Caguas for 20 minutes. As long as Angelica, the boys, Camilla and the family are in, I’m all in with the Boston Red Sox."
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