Polar Park job opening: Red Sox brass focused on finding right manager for WooSox

WORCESTER — The Boston Red Sox announced Monday they exercised the club’s options on manager Alex Cora for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. It’s significant news because his position in Boston will affect the organization’s decision on the vacant managerial job in Worcester.

Red Sox chief baseball officer, Chaim Bloom, described Cora’s extension as an exciting day for the organization.

“He’s real,” Bloom said.

Bloom also expressed the attributes he looks for in a manager, including leadership and partnership.

“In Alex we have both of those things,” Bloom said. “He’s a tremendous leader and a wonderful partner for what we’re trying to do for an organization. We have a lot to be proud of from 2021 and a lot of unfinished business and I’m excited that we get to go forward for a long time with Alex and continuing to push towards our goals.”

So, what does that mean for the WooSox?

The managerial position has been vacant since the organization fired Billy McMillon at the end of the WooSox’ inaugural season. The Red Sox are considering candidates both internal and external, but nothing to announce at this point. The Red Sox are hoping to name a WooSox manager before the end of the year.

“We are making progress,” Bloom said. “For various reasons, our major league coaching search is something that time-wise is moving along a little more quickly than (filling Worcester position) but we are making some progress, just nothing yet but it’s something we’re actively engaged in.”

McMillon helped guide the WooSox to a 74-54 record in 2021. He spent 14 seasons in the Red Sox organization and managed Class-A, High-A, Double-A and Triple-A, but the Red Sox felt it was time for a change.

At the minor league level a manager, or coach, needs to be a reliable communicator and needs to bring the best out of the players. In many ways, the Red Sox are looking for someone similar to Cora.

“In a lot of ways that (Triple-A) job is one of the more difficult jobs in our game, because you need a lot of the same traits that come into play at the major league level, but you’re also handling different groups of players, all of whom, for one reason or another have their eyes set on something more besides Triple-A," explained Bloom. "Managing that, and often having your hands tied on a given night because you need to serve the needs of the big-league club.

"You might not have all of your players available to you because of something that might happen in the big-league game. Those are all things that are difficult to juggle. It takes someone with a good temperament and somebody who is very good at connecting with different types of people.”

Cora is intelligent, carries a high baseball IQ, brings out the best in people and possesses strong communication skills. The next WooSox manager should have similar traits.

Many believe current WooSox hitting coach Rich Gedman would be a perfect fit. Not only was the Red Sox Hall of Famer born and raised in Worcester, the players and fans respect Gedman, and the feeling is mutual. It appears, however, that Gedman will remain in his current role, along with pitching coach Paul Abbott.

MORE: Rich Gedman? Gary DiSarcina? Here are a few options for the next manager for the WooSox

Current Double-A Portland manager, Corey Wimberly, is a candidate. He’s a well-respected member of the Red Sox organization. He was hired in 2017 as an assistant coach for High-A Greenville, and he also managed rookie ball in 2018 and High-A Salem in 2019. The 37-year-old is known for his leadership skills and high baseball IQ. The Sea Dogs finished the 2021 season with a 67-47 record.

Erik Kratz is an interesting candidate. The 41-year-old former big leaguer played for nine teams during his 11 seasons in the majors. He is respected around the baseball world for his passion for the game and ability to connect with young players. Bloom already has a working relationship with Kratz from their respective time in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Currently, he’s working with the Red Sox as a player development consultant.

The Red Sox are also interested in external candidates, but some of those individuals already work for other organizations. The Red Sox need permission from those clubs in order to speak with someone about the possible managerial job in Worcester.

—Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Red Sox, Woosox; Alex Cora; Chaim Bloom; Triple-A baseball