Red Sox exercise option to keep Alex Cora as manager through 2024

The Red Sox made a new commitment to Alex Cora on Monday, announcing that they have picked up the club option on the manager’s contract that will now keep him in his role through the 2024 season.

When the Red Sox brought Cora back as their manager last November, it was for a two-year contract through 2022 with a two-year club option for 2023 and 2024. After a surprise 2021 season, they saw enough to commit at least two more seasons to their popular manager.

“Alex’s leadership of our staff and our players was critical to all that we accomplished in 2021,” Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said. “Along with the entire Red Sox front office, I am excited for many years of continued partnership as we work together to bring another World Series trophy to Fenway Park.”

“I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to manage the Red Sox,” Cora said. “We experienced so many special moments as a team and as a city in 2021, but we still have unfinished business to take care of. I am excited about the current state of our organization and eager to continue my work with our front office, coaches, players, and everyone who makes this such a special place.”

The 46-year-old Cora managed the Red Sox in 2018 and 2019 before he and the team parted ways for his role in the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. After he served a season-long suspension in 2020, the Red Sox decided to bring him back, and they reaped immediate rewards. Led by Cora, the Sox were one of the biggest surprises in baseball as they won 92 games to earn the top Wild Card spot and came two wins away from advancing to the World Series. He finished fifth in American League Manager of the Year voting.

Cora has a 284-202 record in three seasons as Red Sox manager. The .584 winning percentage is the highest ever among Red Sox managers who have managed at least 400 games.