It Really Sounds Like the Red Sox Have Chosen Ron Roenicke as Their Next Manager
By Sam Dunn
Entering the weekend, most indications were that the Boston Red Sox were down to two internal candidates in the race to succeed the ousted Alex Cora as manager: bench coach Ron Roenicke and third base coach Carlos Febles. Now, we have a few circumstantial details that suggest the decision has already been made, and that it's all over but the shouting.
Nothing is official as of this time, but signs are pointing to Roenicke.
Brandon Workman and Eduardo Rodriguez both spoke of Ron Roenicke as if he was the manager. Michael Chavis said he wasn't aware if a decision had been made.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) February 10, 2020
An increasing number of media insiders have gathered quotations from Red Sox pitchers and cathers as they've begun to amass in Fort Myers, Florida for the start of Spring Training. To hear Rodriguez tell it in particular, Roenicke is the boss.
Period.
Rodriguez on Ron Roenicke: ‘It’s going to be good for us that he’s in charge now.’ Notes his appreciation of Roenicke’s familiarity with the club.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) February 10, 2020
If this is truly the case, there's a ton of work for the 63-year-old Roenicke, who managed the Brewers from 2011 to 2015 and won 342 games, to do in order to right the ship post-Cora. Major League Baseball is still investigating the Sox for alleged sign-stealing with the use of technology, which is expressly banned, and while their punishment is not expected to reach a level the Houston Astros faced, we could still be looking at some deep wounds here.
A steady hand will be needed -- look no further than Houston's hiring of Dusty Baker -- and it's sounding like Boston has identified the one it prefers.