5 potential replacements for Alex Cora in Boston

1. Jason Varitek

Red Sox hero Jason Varitek is likely the candidate most fans would prefer if given their choice to name the franchise’s next manager.

Varitek was a key member of the 2004 World Series core and spent his entire 15-year MLB career in Boston. Varitek won two titles and was an All-Star three times with the Red Sox, hitting .256/.341/.435 with 193 home runs and 757 RBI for his career.

Varitek has no managerial experience, but has spent every season since his retirement working on the Red Sox staff in some capacity. He currently coaches the pitchers and catchers. Having managerial experience is no longer a prerequisite for MLB teams, and Varitek has the hometown favorite status working for him in Boston. It’s also worth noting that Cora had no experience managing before the Red Sox tabbed him as their next skipper.

There are a lot of reasons the Red Sox should consider Varitek for their managerial opening, and his place in team history isn’t even the biggest. The loss of Cora has the team at a crossroads, and this is Chaim Bloom’s chance to really put his stamp on the team. A fresh start for everyone involved may be the right choice, especially if Mookie Betts is traded.

Boston needs a fresh approach with a manager who can help implement an analytics-driven (with none of the sign stealing, of course) approach to roster construction and player development. Varitek is a brand new face who can be molded. More importantly, his voice will resonate with the current roster as the players deal with the turmoil of losing their manager in shocking fashion.