Alex Cora Reportedly Returning As Red Sox's Manager In 2021

The Boston Red Sox reportedly plan to bring back former World Series champion manager Alex Cora for the 2021 MLB season.

MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman reports the Red Sox flew representatives to Puerto Rico to interview Cora last week and Cora "answered all their questions satisfactorily." Heyman added ownership and key players supported the decision to bring back Cora, but general manager Chaim Bloom was the deciding factor in the decision.

Cora led the Red Sox to a World Series championship in 2018, but was placed on a one-year suspension for his role in the 2017 Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal.

Cora and the Red Sox mutually parted ways last January after an MLB investigation found Cora was considered the "mastermind" behind the Astros' sign-stealing scheme, CBS Boston reports. Houston fired general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch, while former outfielder Carlos Beltran was forced to step down from his then-new position as the New York Mets' manager due to having a major role in the scandal.

Cora spent two seasons with the Red Sox (2018-19) and has a 194-132 record during that span. In 2018, Boston finished with a franchise-best 108 wins during the regular season and went on to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games during the World Series, while Cora was named American League Manager of the Year.