Alex Cora delivers trade deadline ultimatum for Red Sox front office

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora sent quite the message to the front office, expressing quite explicitly what he’s expecting at the trade deadline.

With not many expectations heading into the 2023 season, especially after the team lost shortstop Xander Bogaerts, designated hitter J.D. Martinez, and starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi in free agency, the Boston Red Sox have done pretty well thus far with the Aug. 1 trade deadline approaching. As of the morning of July 23, the Red Sox were tied for last place in the AL East with the New York Yankees but held a respectable 52-47 record on the year. It goes to show how strong the division is so far.

So, that leaves Red Sox fans wondering — what will the team’s approach be at the trade deadline?

Earlier this week, Red Sox manager Alex Cora sent a message to his front office — he wants the team to play baseball in October. Specifically, he wants to lead the team to wins in the postseason.

Alex Cora wants Red Sox to make a push for the postseason at MLB trade deadline

"“We’re in a good place. But at the end of the day, the place that we like is to play in October,” Cora said, h/t Mass Live. “It’s not about how many prospects you have or where your farm system is. It might be No. 1 or 30th or whatever. The one that really counts is how many games you win in October and how many games you play in October. That’s what we’re shooting for.“For all the ups and downs, we’re right there. It’s not how you get into the dance. It’s what you do there.”"

So, what is the plan for the Red Sox at the trade deadline? According to The Athletic’s Chad Jennings (subscription required), the Red Sox have “yet to internally finalize an approach to the trade deadline.”

While the Red Sox did lose Bogaerts, Martinez, and Eovaldi this past offseason, they did manage to sign two players who have contributed positively to the batting order — Justin Turner and Masataka Yoshida.

Through 86 games, Yoshida recorded a .319 batting average, a .381 on-base percentage, a .501 slugging percentage, 11 home runs, 51 RBI, 52 runs scored, and 107 hits in 335 at-bats.

As for Turner, he is slashing .286/.354/.478 while recording 16 home runs, 61 runs scored, 64 RBI, and 104 hits.

When looking at potential needs, the Red Sox have three starting pitchers on the injured list — Chris Sale, Tanner Houck, and Garrett Whitlock. Bullpen could be an area of need as well. In addition to the injuries, bolstering the bullpen is a smart strategy for any team looking to make a push for a playoff berth.

Cora would like the Red Sox to get some wins this October. What is unknown is if chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom will be an aggressive buyer by the Aug. 1 trade deadline.