Alex Cora made a big announcement less than 24 hours before the Red Sox kicked off their 2025 regular season.
Appearing on WEEI on Wednesday afternoon, Cora revealed Rafael Devers will be Boston’s full-time designated hitter this year while Alex Bregman primarily mans third base. The announcement arrived a little over a month after Devers made it abundantly clear he did not want to move off the hot corner.
Cora understood Devers might not have loved the decision, but the manager also knows the star slugger is in “the winning business” like everyone else in the Red Sox clubhouse. Jim Bowden, a former MLB general manager, couldn’t help but tip his cap to Cora for handling a sensitive situation involving two elite players.
“Alex Cora proved once again why he is an elite manager by his handling of the Rafael Devers situation showing both patience and empathy and eventually getting everyone on board to prioritize winning and putting players in their best position for the TEAM to win!!” Bowden posted to X on Wednesday night.
Arguably, Cora’s greatest responsibility as Red Sox manager is to make decisions that he believes will maximize the club’s success. The 2018 World Series-winning skipper did exactly that with his choices for Bregman and Devers, and Boston likely will be better off for it.
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Fans will see the Red Sox’s new-look lineup in action Thursday when Cora and company battle the Rangers in Texas. NESN’s complete coverage of the opener begins at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Featured image via Jerome Miron/Imagn Images
