Alex Cora may have just poured cold water on the kind of Yankees scenario Red Sox fans would absolutely hate to see.
Cora spoke on the October 26 episode of the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast and gave a surprising answer when asked whether he expects to manage again. Instead of sounding eager to jump right back into the job, he sounded unsure.
"I'm not 100 percent sure I want to do it," Cora said. "I love baseball, I really do. I love my boys but I love coaching other kids."
That’s a notable shift for a manager who has spent much of his post-Red Sox time keeping a low profile after his firing. Cora has also turned down two managerial offers from the Phillies, both coming from Dave Dombrowski, so he’s already made it clear he wants time away from the dugout. He’s being paid by the Red Sox through after the 2027 season.
The timing matters because MLB insider Jon Heyman has floated the idea that the Yankees could eventually wait out Aaron Boone and target Cora when he’s ready to return. Boone is under contract for 2027, and the Yankees have already confirmed he’ll be back then despite the criticism that followed their second straight ALDS loss. Yankees fans have been hoping for Boone’s exit, but that hasn’t happened.
If Cora truly stays away from managing, that whole idea loses some steam. And for Boston, that’s the kind of twist that would be easy to welcome.
Cora remains highly respected around baseball, with players and front offices valuing the way he connects with the people he manages. If he ever did end up in the Yankees dugout, it would only make New York better.
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