Could Red Sox All-Star Succeed Alex Cora As Manager?

The Boston Red Sox shouldn’t be afraid to throw massive amounts of money at Alex Bregman this winter.

With Bregman fully expected to opt out of his current contract and demand a new deal in the realm of $200 million, Boston should be fully prepared to match or even exceed that figure, and here’s why: Bregman would be the perfect successor to Alex Cora as Red Sox manager down the line.

It sounds like an out-of-nowhere idea, but it actually makes a ton of sense. Cora, 49, has publicly stated that he doesn’t want to manage for a very long time. Cora is under contract for another two seasons, of course, but it’s not outlandish to say that he might retire (or take a long break) from managing in the next five to 10 years, which, by the way, lines up loosely with the end of Bregman’s playing career (he turned 31 in March).

Bregman’s supreme ability to mentor Boston’s young stars this season (Roman Anthony included) has shown how successful he’d be as a manager. Bregman sleeps, eats, and breathes baseball, and it’s difficult to imagine him not considering becoming manager post-retirement. The thing is, there would be upwards of 29 other teams interested in Bregman’s managerial services were he to make the move.

Boston could have the upper hand, though, if they make Bregman a “lifetime” Red Sox icon (think David Ortiz), and that starts with ensuring that Bregman doesn’t wear another uniform for the rest of his playing career. Boston should pay whatever it takes to keep Bregman at Fenway Park until he retires.

Of course, it would be absurd to re-sign Bregman based on the above premise alone. Let’s be clear: Bregman’s current value as an All-Star performer and one of the game’s best all-around players in his prime is the main reason to pay up. As Boston’s recent 10-game winning streak displayed, the Red Sox are World Series contenders in 2025, and bringing back Bregman and his Green Monster-friendly bat would ensure that they remain so in 2026 and beyond.

It’s ultimately a dream scenario for Red Sox fans. Bregman wins another title or two in Boston, cements his legacy as a Red Sox legend, and then steps into the manager role when Cora decides to step down. One Alex passes the torch to another.

It may never happen, but if the stars align, you heard it here first.