Alex Bregman Notes Key Similarity For Close Relationship With Alex Cora

Alex Bregman didn’t need to do any campaigning on his own to convince the Boston Red Sox to sign him.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora knew what Bregman was all about and time and time again advocated throughout the offseason when it came to the veteran infielder’s talent and intangibles.

The two formed a bond during their time together with the Houston Astros. Cora spent a lone season there in 2017 as the team’s bench coach before departing for Boston. That was the start of a tight relationship built off of mutual respect for one another, and they are now reunited with the Red Sox after Bregman signed a three-year deal worth a reported $120 million.

At their core, Bregman feels he and Cora are incredibly similar.

“I feel like A.C. loves baseball as much as I do,” Bregman told reporters during his introductory press conference Sunday morning in Fort Myers, Fla, per team-provided video. “He wakes up every single day and wants to win. He is a hard worker, a competitor, just a baseball guy. And so am I and I think that’s why we get along.”

Bregman was in his first full season in MLB when Cora was on Houston’s coaching staff. Bregman performed well, batting .284 with 19 home runs and 71 RBIs that year. But nothing overtly suggested he would finish in the top five in American League MVP voting the next two seasons.

But Cora could see the potential in Bregman. This offseason, Cora detailed a conversation he had with Bregman in 2017 about switching to third base. But even with the move, Cora said he “always envisioned Alex as a Gold Glove second baseman.” Bregman, who won a Gold Glove at third base in 2024, might get that chance this season.

But Cora believes Bregman’s impact on the Red Sox will go beyond what defense he can provide. Cora sees Bregman coming onto the Red Sox as an established leader, and it seems Bregman’s priorities align perfectly with Cora.

“He caught my attention in 2017. And throughout the years, he keeps evolving, he keeps getting better,” Cora told reporters, per team-provided video. “The most important thing: he wants to win. That’s it. For him, it’s his family, his baseball and winning. And I’m excited to have him here now.”