In a dramatic turn of events, the Boston Red Sox have cut ties with six members of Alex Cora’s coaching staff, marking a significant shift in the team’s approach after a turbulent season. As reported by Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, the bloodletting includes first base coach Andy Fox, bullpen coach Kevin Walker, assistant hitting coach Luis Ortiz, mental skills coach Rey Fuentes, trainer Ben Chadwick, and bullpen catcher Mani Martinez. This sweeping overhaul suggests Boston is ready to overhaul its strategy after a disappointing 2024 season.
Andy Fox, who was promoted to first base coach just this past season, had been a loyal servant for over a decade, previously working as the field coordinator. The former utility infielder, who spent nine years in the major leagues, mostly with the Diamondbacks and Marlins, now finds himself on the chopping block as the Red Sox look for a fresh start.
Luis Ortiz, a familiar face who briefly played for the Red Sox in the mid-1990s, has also been shown the door after serving as an assistant hitting coach for three years. Despite his tenure with the Rangers under Chris Woodward from 2018-2021 as the lead hitting coach, Ortiz couldn’t spark enough offensive firepower for Boston. Ortiz’s partnership with Ben Rosenthal, who also serves as an assistant to hitting coach Peter Fatse, was not enough to save his spot on the roster.
The bullpen has been an Achilles heel for the Red Sox, and the ax finally fell on bullpen coach Kevin Walker, who took on the role in the 2020-21 offseason after a brief stint as assistant pitching coach. Despite his efforts, Boston’s bullpen ranked among the league’s worst, finishing 24th in ERA (4.39) and 23rd in strikeout percentage (21.9%). After the All-Star break, the bullpen’s implosion was glaring; they posted an abysmal 5.45 ERA, the worst in MLB, and led the league in blown leads with 16. The numbers painted a clear picture, and Walker became the scapegoat for the bullpen’s shortcomings.
The front office’s midseason moves, including acquiring Lucas Sims and Luis García, proved disastrous. Injuries further compounded the chaos as key relievers Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin missed significant time, derailing Boston’s hopes for a Wild Card spot. The bullpen’s collapse was a major factor in the team’s inability to stay competitive, and the fallout has now extended to the coaching staff.
With the axe swinging, new Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow faces the monumental task of rebuilding the bullpen from scratch. His immediate priority? Reinforcing a relief corps in front of standout Justin Slaten and hoping for a fully healthy Liam Hendriks. The moves suggest a clear message: the Red Sox are unwilling to tolerate another season of mediocrity and are intent on building a formidable bullpen to compete in the future.
For Red Sox fans, the latest overhaul may offer a glimmer of hope for a fresh start. But with a string of disappointments still lingering, the pressure is now squarely on Breslow and his staff to deliver the right hires and upgrades in a do-or-die offseason.
