BALTIMORE — Following the unexpected dismissal of Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora and five coaching staff members, veteran infielder Trevor Story expressed uncertainty about the organization’s future direction less than a day after the shocking decision.
“I mean obviously, it’s kind of up in the air what the true direction is,” the two-time All-Star commented Sunday morning prior to the series finale against the Baltimore Orioles. “Those are conversations that need to be had. They’ll be had today and onward going forward, too.”
Boston officially terminated Cora on Saturday night following a disappointing 10-17 beginning to his eighth campaign leading the team, which included a humiliating three-game home sweep by the New York Yankees this past week.
Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow justified the first mid-season managerial change in Boston since 2001 by stating it demonstrated dedication to salvaging the current campaign.
“It really comes down to the belief we have in the players, and the belief we have in the group to accomplish what we set out to accomplish,” Breslow stated Sunday. “By acting today, it gives us 135 games ahead of us, almost a full season’s worth of run, to take advantage of this fresh start.”
However, Story, currently in year five of his six-year, $140-million contract, stands as a veteran presence on a youthful roster that has seen stars like Mookie Betts, Chris Sale, Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers traded away following Cora’s successful 2018 World Series championship in his inaugural season.
Boston has qualified for the playoffs just twice since then, with only one postseason appearance since Story joined the team when they secured a wild-card spot in 2025.
“I came here to win and I came here to be successful,” stated the 33-year-old Story, who is among Boston hitters struggling with a .198 batting average, two home runs and 17 RBIs. “And we had a flash of that last year. We’re looking to build on that. Obviously not off to a great start. But yeah, some of the direction needs to be cleared up, in my opinion.”
According to reliever Garrett Whitlock, Breslow and interim manager Chad Tracy addressed the team for approximately eight minutes during a Sunday morning meeting that also featured owner John Henry and team president Sam Kennedy. Players remained silent throughout the gathering.
“They spoke. Yeah, they spoke,” Story said. “There just has to be more conversations had. I wouldn’t say it was satisfactory.”
Speaking to media members, Breslow and Kennedy emphasized this decision originated from baseball operations after the team struggled significantly on offense.
Despite Saturday’s 17-1 victory over Baltimore that ended a four-game losing streak, Red Sox hitters entered Sunday with a collective .233/.312/.354 slash line and ranked among the bottom quarter of Major League Baseball in most important offensive categories.
“Ultimately, responsibility for the performance on the field, it falls on me as the leader of baseball operations,” Breslow explained. “But so, too, does the responsibility for doing everything I can and the organization can to find solutions. And right now we feel like this change, these changes were warranted.”
Kennedy praised Breslow for making “several bold decisions and recommendations.”
“And this was one of them and we fully support it,” he said.
Henry stayed in Baltimore Sunday but declined to speak with reporters.
“I think it’s evident by his presence here that this was a collaborative decision (with Henry),” Kennedy noted.
Tracy begins his Major League managerial career after spending six seasons leading Triple-A Worcester. The son of veteran manager Jim Tracy, he acknowledged the sensitive nature of his opportunity.
“I’m toeing that line of sitting here with all of you in this moment, but also acknowledge the relationship with some of the people that are no longer here was strong,” Tracy explained. “And you also know that that’s, in a lot of ways, that’s how some of the players feel as well. So, excited, right? But also honoring the people that were before me that were mentors to me.”
Story complimented Tracy’s “baseball mind,” but remained visibly emotional regarding Cora’s departure.
“He had our backs every single day,” Story reflected. “He was very truthful with players and took bullets for us and did everything you can ask for and more as a manager. I just can’t express how thankful I am to have played for him. Yeah, I’ve got a love for that guy.”
