Red Sox insist they won fairly
The Boston Red Sox insist they won the 2018 World Series fairly, even as they begin their search for a new manager after Alex Cora was let go for his role in a sign-stealing scandal.
Cora left the team on Tuesday after baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred identified him as the ringleader in a cheating scheme with the 2017 Houston Astros. Cora took over in Boston the next year, leading the team to a franchise-record 108 victories and the World Series title over the Dodgers.
Major League Baseball is investigating whether Cora set up a similar cheating system in Boston. No conclusions have been reached, the team said.
“We would ask that everyone reserve judgment until MLB completes its investigation and determines whether rules were violated,” owner John Henry said. “I can tell you that we are working with baseball to the fullest extent possible.”
Henry said Cora agreed to step down because the two sides agreed that he could not continue to lead the team. Team President Sam Kennedy said he anticipated a day that Cora would return to baseball.
“Alex is an incredibly talented manager and accomplished great things with us,” Kennedy said. “He expressed remorse. He apologized yesterday to us for the embarrassment that this caused. And I think he’ll go through a process of rehabilitation. And so we’ll see what happens.”
Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said he has not yet had time to create a list of potential candidates to replace Cora.
The Texas Rangers formally reunited with catcher Robinson Chirinos and added third baseman Todd Frazier after completing one-year deals with the free agents. Chirinos and Frazier both got contracts that included club options for 2021 . ... Lefthander Stephen Tarpley was traded from the New York Yankees to the Miami Marlins for third baseman James Nelson and $50,000 payable on Feb. 15 . ... The Dodgers made their one-year deal with Alex Wood official. They designated Casey Sadler for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.