Felger & Mazz react to Alex Cora’s comment on his future
With the Red Sox plummeting to last place in the American League East, it was only a matter of time before somebody got fired. Unfortunately for Chaim Bloom, ownership had to let someone go, and that person was him.
In recent days, manager Alex Cora skirted any questions of being fired. He declared to the media that he “isn’t going anywhere.”
On Thursday’s Felger & Mazz radio program, the guys react to Cora’s ironclad job security. Felger was particularly impressed.
Mar 20, 2022; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) watches from the field prior to the game against the Baltimore Orioles during spring training at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Felger: What a don move. Talk about a don move that Alex Cord just pulled off. I can’t remember when I saw it in that sport, where the manager stiff arms a bigtime. Alex Cora is saying, “No, I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
That means he’s in charge. That means he’s told he’s the guy.
Mazz: Correct. With the way it went down, either Cora or Bloom had to go. And not only that, they haven’t even named a new GM yet. And Cora is telling you he isn’t going anywhere. So, it’s his operation.
Felger: Yes, he’s in charge.
Mazz: It’s his operation.
Felger: The only way he can say that is if he’s making that call. Well, obviously, John Henry is the one who makes that call, but it was made, correct? Henry made the call.
This is now Alex Cora’s baseball team. And, I mean, on all four floors.
Mazz: Yes, that’s right. Do you think Cora’s going to get more power? Well, guess what? He already has it. He has it, clearly, because Bloom’s out the door.
And to me, this makes the GM thing easy now. It has got to be someone that Cora wants. Otherwise, they’re not going to bring in someone who’s going to fire Cora.
Felger: Cora didn’t just win. He took over. Alex Core is heading your baseball department. I don’t care what his title is. He’ll still be the manager next year, I assume. But he is the chief baseball officer, as well. He’s the chairman of the board. Don move.
FULL SEGMENT
Listen to Felger and Mazz from 2-6 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Mike Felger, Tony “Mazz” Massarotti, and Jim Murray “Big Jim”. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @FelgerAndMazz on Twitter to keep up with the show!
Potential replacements for Chaim Bloom as Red Sox CBO
Alex Cora
Mar 25, 2022; North Port, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) looks on against the Atlanta Braves during spring training at CoolToday Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Cora for me is the favorite to move from the dugout to the front office as the Red Sox next General Manager or Chief Baseball Officer or whatever the title. Alex Cora is the best baseball talent evaluator the Red Sox have, he seems to have the ear of ownership and I want to see him given the keys to build a roster the way he wants to build it. I believe Cora wants the responsibility of being the final decision maker on the Red Sox roster. I hope Alex Cora gets the promotion to the Red Sox front office.
Sam Fuld – Phillies
Feb 19, 2019; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies coach Sam Fuld (87) poses for a photo on photo day at Spectrum Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sam Fuld is the current general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies and reportedly was going to be the manager of the Boston Red Sox under Chaim Bloom. Fuld is known for his unique blend of playing experience, analytics expertise, and leadership skills. After his playing career, Fuld transitioned into a front-office role where he has continued to make significant contributions.
As a player, Fuld was known for his exceptional defensive skills and versatility. He played outfield for several teams in Major League Baseball, including the Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland Athletics, and Minnesota Twins.
Following his retirement as a player, Fuld joined the Philadelphia Phillies’ front office as the major league player information coordinator. In this role, he worked closely with players and coaching staff, providing valuable insights and analytical support. Fuld’s ability to bridge the gap between analytics and on-field performance made him a valuable asset to the organization.
Fuld’s work with the Phillies caught the attention of the Chicago Cubs, who hired him as their major league player information coordinator in 2018. In this role, he continued to make a significant impact, utilizing his analytical expertise to assist players and coaches in optimizing performance.
In 2020, Fuld joined the Philadelphia Phillies again, this time as the team’s general manager. His promotion to such a high-profile position speaks volumes about his reputation and abilities within the industry. As general manager, Fuld is responsible for overseeing the team’s roster construction, player development, and day-to-day operations.
