Alex Cora Named as Red Sox' Manager After Sign-Stealing Suspension Ends

The Boston Red Sox have brought back Alex Cora as the team's manager after he served a one-season suspension for his role in the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal, the announced on Friday.

Boston finished the shortened 2020 season at 24–36 and parted ways with Ron Roenicke, who served as Cora's replacement since January.

Cora was not allowed to interview for the job until after the World Series concluded. MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported the Red Sox flew to Puerto Rico to interview Cora last week.

The team was also considering Sam Fuld, who played for the Tampa Bay Rays from 2011-13 and has close ties with Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom.

Cora led the Red Sox to the 2018 World Series title in his first season as their manager. The 2018 team was also found to have stolen signs, but MLB said Red Sox video replay systems operator J.T. Watkins was the primary culprit. In 2017, before Cora's arrival, the Red Sox were found to have stolen signs via an Apple Watch and were fined by MLB. 

Cora's role in the Astros scandal was significant. MLB determined that Cora was "involved in developing both the banging scheme and utilizing the replay review room to decode and transmit signs" as a member of the Houston coaching staff in 2017.

Cora has a 192–132 record in his two seasons as the manager of the Red Sox.