Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Faces Urgency to Keep Job Ahead of Trade Deadline
As the Boston Red Sox continue to stumble through a frustrating 2025 season, manager Alex Cora’s future with the team hangs in the balance. The Red Sox, currently sitting at 27-31 with a five-game losing streak, are in a precarious position as they approach the MLB trade deadline. With only two months left before the deadline hits on July 6, Cora must quickly find a way to turn the team around if he wants to keep his job.
Boston’s recent loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, a heartbreaker in extra innings, marked the fifth consecutive defeat for the Red Sox, who have struggled to gain any momentum in recent weeks. The team is just 5-11 in its last 16 games, and with the competition in the American League East fierce, the playoffs seem a distant dream at this point. The Red Sox’s current record puts them on pace for just 75 wins, a mark that would represent their worst performance since 2014 and further extend their playoff drought.
Despite Cora’s success in leading the Red Sox to a World Series title in 2018, there is growing concern about his ability to steer the ship in the right direction this season. Since signing a three-year extension in July 2022, making him the second-highest paid manager in MLB at the time, expectations have only grown for the team to contend. However, the reality has been far from that, with the team now facing the possibility of missing the postseason for the fourth consecutive year.
While Cora’s 2018 World Series ring still holds value with ownership and the fanbase, his track record since then has made it increasingly difficult to ignore the mounting issues. The Red Sox’s lackluster performance this season cannot be pinned solely on Cora, but his questionable managerial decisions have certainly raised eyebrows. From premature pitching changes to inconsistent lineups, and odd decisions like moving Rafael Devers to first base, many are wondering whether Cora’s strategic choices are harming the team more than helping.
The team’s struggles have also raised questions about whether Cora is still the right man for the job, especially if Boston continues to underperform. The Red Sox front office will likely be forced to make a decision at some point in the coming months. If the team is out of playoff contention by the trade deadline, it may be time to begin a search for a new manager. In that scenario, the front office might choose to sell off veteran players for future assets, signaling a shift towards a rebuild and a potential managerial change to reset the team’s trajectory.
Cora has long been a respected figure in Boston, known not only for his baseball acumen but also for his leadership and ability to connect with players. However, as time goes on and the Red Sox’s struggles continue, his status as the manager becomes increasingly tenuous. Even with his championship pedigree, the business of baseball often requires a sense of urgency that can leave little room for sentimentality. If the Red Sox don’t find a way to turn things around quickly, the inevitable conclusion may be a change at the top, especially if Cora fails to meet the expectations of ownership and fans alike.
The clock is ticking for Alex Cora. With the trade deadline looming, the Red Sox have just two months to figure out whether their current manager is the one who can lead them back to playoff contention—or if it’s time for a new voice to take charge. If the Red Sox continue to struggle, the pressure will only grow, and a managerial change could be on the horizon. Only time will tell if Cora can keep his job and guide Boston back to relevance or if the team’s front office will decide to move in a different direction.
