Sam Kennedy Addresses Manager Alex Cora’s Extension With Red Sox

The lack of clarity regarding Alex Cora's future with the Red Sox followed the six-year skipper into Boston's 2024 season with still no answers, only to be addressed by a three-year extension made official Wednesday.

"Yes, he's our manager but he's so much more than that," Red Sox president Kennedy said Thursday, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive. "He rightfully has become the face of the franchise in so many ways. He just cares so much. He connects with our fans in the most authentic way. Equally as important, he connects with our players. He connects with every member of the front office and that's a huge testament to him."

Cora's initial contract was set to expire at the end of 2024, which could've allowed the 48-year-old to explore the open market. And considering the job he's done from the helm working with Boston's young core to avoid sinking in the American League East standings, it's likely Cora's phone would've been buzzing had he entertained free agency. There aren't many MLB skippers capable of tapping into a young up-and-coming roster's strengths like Cora, while also positioning the franchise to buy before the trade deadline with a legitimate chance at clinching a playoff berth.

Under Cora's leadership, the Red Sox have witnessed Jarren Duran go from being left off the 2023 Opening Day roster to winning the All-Star Game MVP a few weeks ago in Texas. Boston's watched Tanner Houck blossom as the unofficial rotation's Ace, putting together a Cy Young-worthy season. Aside from the post-Midsummer Classic (1-5) hiccup, which can be attributed to the instability of injuries haunting the rotation, lineup and infield, the Red Sox have done a tremendous job staying competitive through their ups and downs -- due in large part to the patience and trust Cora's exhibited from the get-go.

"I had a strong feeling from the beginning that the working relationship with (Craig Breslow) and AC would be a good one, just given the underlying relationship they had from their playing days and being a part of the Red Sox," Kennedy explained, per Cotillo. "But we really needed to stay out of it and let those two either develop the type of relationship working together where things were going to work out long-term or not."

Cora and Breslow never shared the dugout as teammates with the Red Sox, but the two ex-big leaguers did undergo the ultimate experience during their respective tenures with the organization: Winning the World Series. After back-to-back last-place finishes in the division, Boston's worked to re-stabilize its winning ways and contend, again. Up next, the Red Sox have their sights set on a vital three-game series against the second-place New York Yankees at Fenway Park, which could drastically give the entire franchise a much-needed boost moving forward.