On a day when the East Coast was blanketed in snow, Alex Cora chose to hold his press conference, leaving me glued to Twitter in anticipation of any baseball news. Broadcasting live from Fort Myers, Cora made his inaugural media appearance for this year's spring training.
For those who'd rather not sit through a 25-minute video, I've distilled the key points below:
It appears the team is set with its current roster, with Cora emphasizing focus on the players they already have.
When probed about his future with the team, Cora was evasive, labeling it a "family decision." This non-committal response might hint at his departure by year's end.
Ceddanne Rafaela is poised to take center field, contingent on his team selection.
Vaughn Grissom is being groomed for second base.
Last year's defensive performance was underwhelming.
Masataka Yoshida is expected to lead in designated hitter at-bats.
Cora described his relationship with Craig Breslow as "good."
The team is ambitiously aiming to participate in “over 170 games.”
Rafael Devers is looking notably "strong."
The previous season was challenging for Cora, impacting him both "mentally and physically."
Cora shared a personal achievement of being inducted into the Puerto Rico Hall of Fame and mentioned adopting a new diet and training regimen.
He candidly stated he doesn't envision managing for another decade, alluding to life's priorities beyond baseball.
Cora expressed the emotional and physical toll of a prolonged tenure in one place and a desire to not focus on future commitments.
He humorously hoped for Netflix to boost the team's financial status.
From the interview, Cora's departure after this season seems imminent, given his discussions on health, family, and a preference for change. His reluctance to commit to a long managerial tenure further supports this notion.
Despite these personal reflections, my opinion on his immediate departure remains unchanged. Ideally, the team would benefit from a leader focused on a long-term commitment, yet the respect the Front Office holds for Cora likely prevents any abrupt changes.
Cora's on-field comments align with expectations, emphasizing a roster of young, promising talent and the anticipation of further additions. Insider Chris Cotillo's hint at the Red Sox's pursuit of a right-handed back remains speculative until confirmed.
My outlook for the team remains the same. Develop the young guys and hope to beat the Yankees.
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