What Alex Cora stated of Pink Sox signing Alex Bregman

Cora would not decide to enjoying Bregman primarily at second base but and shared the place he would hit within the lineup.

Alex Bregman formally joined the Pink Sox on Saturday. (Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Employees)

February 15, 2025 | 4:15 PM

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Even Alex Cora was amongst those that had been seemingly shocked by the Pink Sox’ addition of Alex Bregman.

As Cora vouched for Bregman earlier within the offseason, there had been rumors that the Pink Sox had been unlikely so as to add the two-time All-Star previous to his settlement late Wednesday. Cora additionally sensed that was the case, saying that it performed a motive why he opted to reach at Fort Myers for spring coaching sooner than ordinary.

“With every thing that was occurring you’re kinda like, ‘Eh, it’s not going to occur. It’s not going to occur,’ to be sincere with you,” Cora shared Saturday. “At one level, you must type of like pivot as a supervisor, too. Like, ‘OK, we gotta go.’”

So, when Cora went to mattress on Wednesday, he wasn’t anticipating to be bombarded with messages that he was about to reunite with Bregman in the midst of his sleep.

“The entire thing modified Wednesday. … Like round 10:20, Camila texts me, ‘Let’s [freaking] go.’ I’m like, ‘I hope this textual content is for me,’” Cora stated, referring to his daughter. “Then, I appeared on the telephone, and I’ve like, 10 missed calls. Essential individuals within the group had been making an attempt to achieve out to me. Then, [Bregman] known as me, like, two minutes later and he advised me. The evening received lengthy.”

In only a second of shuteye, Cora’s workforce modified in a significant means. Now, the Pink Sox have the right-handed hitter with pop that the highest of their lineup sorely lacked. The signing of Bregman will, in idea, enhance the Pink Sox’ protection as he gained his first Gold Glove final season and has been considered probably the greatest fielding third basemen within the league since his call-up in 2016.

Cora was fast to say that Bregman will hit within the high third of the lineup. Nonetheless, as preliminary studies stated that Bregman would play second base, Cora didn’t say the place he’ll play within the discipline simply but.

“We’ll speak about that afterward,” Cora stated when requested if Bregman will play second base. “Proper now, there’s quite a lot of stuff occurring, so far as the place we’re going to be roster-wise, and we’ll make that call when we have now to make it.”

Cora added that Bregman will get reps at second and third base throughout spring coaching whereas sprinkling in some reps at shortstop as properly. However the Pink Sox supervisor emphasised that it was “too far forward” for him to decide to something, together with a situation the place Bregman completely performs one place this season.

If Cora opts to play Bregman at second base, although, he’s not involved in regards to the match. Whereas Bregman’s solely performed at second base for 32 innings over his profession, Cora cited his “fast fingers” and “good footwork” as causes he thinks he generally is a robust fielder on the place.

“He’s a Gold Glove third baseman. He hasn’t performed second base within the massive leagues. I consider he generally is a Gold Glove second baseman, too,” Cora stated. “There’s different stuff that comes into play so far as like roster building, what’s higher for the workforce, what will be the most effective lineup, and competitors comes into play.

“He’ll play in Texas [for Opening Day], I assure you that. He’ll be within the lineup. The place? We’ll speak about it later.”

After all, there are numerous elements that Cora has to weigh with Bregman now a part of the equation. Second base is probably the most seamless match for him by way of the lineup. When it comes to maximizing fielding, enjoying Bregman at third and shifting Rafael Devers to designated hitter would appear to be the most effective transfer.

“Selections received more durable. And that’s good to have,” Cora stated.

When it comes to Bregman’s match within the lineup, Cora already has a powerful imaginative and prescient of how a lot of a difference-maker he could possibly be alongside Devers and Jarren Duran.

“They’re going to be superb, electrical,” Cora stated. “That at-bat is totally different. It’s type of like J.D. [Martinez] when he got here right here in ’18 or [Justin] Turner just a few years in the past. He’s only a totally different at-bat. He needs to be hitting on the high of the lineup.”

As Cora spoke about the entire potential matches for Bregman on the sphere and within the lineup, he gave the impression to be most excited in regards to the presence he’ll deliver into the locker room.

“He’s participant. He’s a greater teammate,” Cora stated. “He’s going to assist lots of people on this group. He’s a man that we all know the observe report. All he is aware of is October and he’s been profitable enjoying in October. He’s going to make individuals higher and he’s going to problem individuals together with his baseball IQ. He’s going to ask questions on pitching, protection, offense, baserunning. It’s refreshing to have a man like that within the clubhouse.”

Cora received to see what sort of an individual Bregman will be behind the scenes when the 2 had been collectively in 2017. Cora labored because the Astros’ bench coach that season, working alongside Bregman in his first full season within the majors.

Although Bregman was solely 23, Cora famous that he “had a voice on that workforce,” which might go on to win the World Collection that yr. Cora added that Bregman can be “forward of the sport” by way of communication, sharing that he’s already begun establishing himself as a frontrunner for the Pink Sox.

“We had a fantastic dialog final evening, had dinner with him and Trevor [Story] and will’ve been within the restaurant for 5 hours speaking baseball. That’s what it’s all about,” Cora stated. “He made some extent about staying in Area 3 to see Ok.C. (Kristian Campbell), Marcelo [Mayer], and [Nick Sogard] take grounders. He already had pointers about Campbell and I’m like, ‘Take it simple, child.’

“However he’s into it. He desires to win. That’s all he is aware of. Since ’17, he’s been within the playoffs the entire time. He has two World Collection wins. I’m very glad that we have now him.”