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The Boston Red Sox and manager Alex Cora have agreed to terms on a contract that includes an extension that will run through 2021 with a club option for 2022, the team announced Wednesday.
In Cora’s first season at the helm, the Red Sox finished the regular season with a franchise-best 108-54 (.667) record and won the World Series, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.
“We have consistently been impressed by Alex at every turn,” Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said in a team statement. “His knowledge of the game, ability to connect with our players, and his incredible instincts and decisiveness led us to an historic championship season. We know we are in good hands, and could not be more pleased to know he will be with us for the foreseeable future.”
President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski agreed.
“Alex did a tremendous job for our club all year long and we wanted to reward him for his efforts after an amazing season,” Dombrowski said. “We are extremely happy that he will be with us and leading our club on the field.”
Financial terms of the contract were not announced for Cora, who finished second in American League Manger of the Year balloting behind Oakland’s Bob Melvin.
Under the 43-year-old Cora, Boston surpassed the franchise’s previous single-season wins mark of 105, which was set in 1912. The Red Sox finished eight games ahead of the Yankees in the American League East on the way to their ninth World Series title, including their fourth since 2004.
“For me, 2018 was not only historic, but it was special as well, both on and off the field,” Cora said. “We have a great appreciation for our accomplishments this past year, but now our focus moves forward to the season ahead and defending our World Series title.”
The Red Sox hired Cora on Oct. 22, 2017, replacing John Farrell.
Cora was an infielder on the Red Sox’s 2007 championship team and joined Jake Stahl (1912) as the only two people in franchise history to win a World Series as both a player and manager.
According to USA Today, Cora was among the lowest-paid managers in 2018, earning $800,000.
–Field Level Media
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