MLB Hot Stove Evening Briefing: Alex Cora believes the ’24 Red Sox will be a ‘Complete’ team, Angels’ Jo Adell working out with retired outfielder, Mass. native joins Guardians coaching staff
The Red Sox have finished in last place three of the last four seasons. That has resulted in Chaim Bloom to be out of a job and new chief baseball officer Craig Breslow to take the reins and run the organization.
Alex Cora believes that the new front office leadership group will help get the Red Sox back on track in 2024.
“I do believe when Opening Day comes, you’re going to see the team and it’s going to be a complete team — and this is from (Rafael Devers) to the 26th guy,” Cora said while on The Name Redacted Podcast with Jared Carrabis. “I think where we’re at, we can go different ways. We know that, but having a complete team is going to be important for us.
“I do believe there’s going to be decisions in spring training where people are like, ‘What?!’ That’s because (we’ll be in) a better spot talent-wise.”
The Red Sox are focused on adding starting pitching but Cora is excited about the growth of the current players on his roster.
“I think guys like Jarren (Duran), Raffy, (Triston) Casas, Trevor (Story) — we know that Trevor is the key to the offense in a sense,” Cora said. “We’ll see what happens in other situations, but I do believe you can feel comfortable that when Opening Day comes, (we’re) going to be in a good spot. It should be fun. It should be good.”
Angels’ Jo Adell working out with former outfielder Matt Holliday
Former Angels top prospect Jo Adell has not lived up to the potential and expectations that has surrounded him the last couple of years. If Adell is unable to make the Angels roster out camp next season, he’ll likely be with another organization.
The 24-year-old is out of player options and running out of chances with the Angels.
“He knows what’s at stake,” general manager Perry Minasian said on Wednesday at the GM Meetings. “I’m looking forward to seeing him in the spring.”
Adell has been working out with former big league outfielder Matt Holliday this offseason. The six-time All-Star works for Scott Boras who also represents Adell.
Last season, Adell dealt with an oblique injury after he was recalled to replace Mike Trout. He hit .207 with a .706 OPS in only 17 games. The Angels are hoping Adell can stay healthy, find his grove at the plate and continue to develop defensively.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever witnessed in my career, somebody improve defensively as much as he has over the last three years,” Minasian said. “I think there’s some strides to be made offensively that he knows, that he’s working on as we speak.”
Guardians hire Fall River, Mass. native as MLB Field Coordinator
The Guardians announced that former Giants bullpen coach Craig Albernaz will join newly minted manager Stephen Vogt’s staff.
Albernaz will leave the Bay Area where he spent the last four seasons as the Giants bullpen coach and become the Major League Field Coordinator with Cleveland.
The Fall River, Mass. native interviewed to become the skipper of the Guardians earlier in the month of October. After the Guardians president of baseball operations became familiar with Albernaz, both sides realized there was a connection.
Albernaz was a catcher in the Rays minor league system from 2006-14. Tampa Bay signed him as a non-drafted free agent out of Eckerd (Fla.) College where he was a pitcher and catcher. He managed in the Rays’ minor league system in 2017 and 2018 before becoming a minor league field coordinator in 2019.
As major league field coordinator, he will serve as a resource across all facets of team, assisting Vogt, the coaching staff, and the players on the day-to-day operations of the major league club.
Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisHenrique
For additional Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, MLB and NFL content follow Beyond the Monster on Twitter @BeyondtheMnstr.
