Report: Cora to manage Sox

HOUSTON — The parallel story to this American League Championship Series took an intriguing twist Thursday, and it’s of interest to the Mets.

Astros bench coach Alex Cora, the hottest managerial candidate of the season, will be named the next Red Sox skipper, according to a tweet by LasMayores.com — MLB’s official Spanish website — which has since been deleted.

Red Sox president of operations Dave Dombrowski said no decision had been made, and other outlets denied the report.

Astros coach A.J. Hinch, whose team faces elimination in Game 6 of the ALCS against the Yankees on Friday night, said he had not heard that Cora had been offered or accepted the job. Hinch has been supportive of Cora, who interviewed for three of the four open manager jobs, including with the Mets.

“I don’t have any information. I know Alex has interviewed for every job in this country, and maybe elsewhere, as far as I know,” Hinch said with a laugh. “We’ll find out in due time.”

The Red Sox interviewed Cora when the Astros were in New York for the ALCS. The Mets also interviewed him at that time, but according to sources it was mostly an “informational” meeting.

The Mets also interviewed White Sox bench coach and former Met Joe McEwing, Cleveland pitching coach Mickey Callaway, Mariners third base coach Manny Acta, and their own hitting coach, Kevin Long.

Another option came off the market Thursday when Ron Gardenhire was hired to manage the Detroit Tigers.