Red Sox Fired Manager Alex Cora Following Slump
The Boston club dismissed manager Alex Cora and several staff members after starting the season with a 10-17 record.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Baseball
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The Boston Red Sox have parted ways with manager Alex Cora and a significant portion of their coaching staff. The organization promoted Triple-A manager Chad Tracy to serve as interim manager in a bid to reverse the team's struggling 10-17 start to the 2026 season.
Why it matters
The leadership shakeup arrives as the Red Sox find themselves in last place in the AL East. Team executives initiated the changes to address a severe offensive slump that saw the group rank last in the Majors with a 78 wRC+.
The Red Sox offensive unit produced a .226/.306/.335 slash line through the team's 10-17 start. Alex Cora departed with a career record of 620-541 as manager of the club.
The players
Alex Cora
He is the former manager of the Boston Red Sox who compiled a 620-541 record during his tenure.
Chad Tracy
He is the former Triple-A manager who has been promoted to serve as the interim manager for the Boston Red Sox.
Jason Varitek
He is a long-time member of the organization who was reassigned to a different role during the coaching staff shakeup.
Andrew Bailey
He is the pitching coach who will remain in his current role despite the recent organizational departures.
Chris Holt
He is the bullpen coach who will continue serving in his position through the current leadership transition.
The details
The firing includes coaches Peter Fatse, Dillon Lawson, Ramón Vázquez, Kyle Hudson, and Joe Cronin, while Chad Epperson has been named interim third base coach. Jason Varitek has been reassigned to a new role, though pitching coach Andrew Bailey and bullpen coach Chris Holt will remain with the organization.
Timeline
Alex Cora began his tenure as Red Sox manager in 2018.
The Red Sox signed Cora to a $21.75 million contract extension in July 2024.
The organization announced the managerial and coaching staff changes on October 12, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This managerial overhaul forces a reset for a franchise that was anchored by the 2024 Red Sox managerial extension. The move signals an aggressive attempt to salvage a season currently defined by being in last place in the AL East.
The transition to an interim manager signals an immediate shift in tactical approach as the team attempts to improve a league-worst 78 wRC+. Fantasy managers should monitor the new staff's lineup construction, as the previous iteration failed to produce efficient offensive output.
The takeaway
The Red Sox decision reflects the high performance expectations mandated for major market franchises. Fans can expect a period of instability as the team recalibrates its offensive strategy under interim leadership.
Further reading
For more background on the team's ongoing changes, visit the Boston Baseball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MLB Trade Rumors.
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