The long overdue Red Sox managerial search is concluded, as former Brewers’ manager Ron Roenicke will step into the role amid MLB’s extensive sign stealing investigations.
The Red Sox will report to spring training beginning tomorrow morning, now under new management in both the front office and dugout. This wraps quite the interesting offseason for the Red Sox, and not in a good way.
The probes into both the Astros and Red Sox sign-stealing scandal has left a significant bruise on this franchise that ultimately parted ways with manager Alex Cora, who led them into the 2018 World Series championship. Cora also instigated the Red Sox use of Apple Watches to relay signs to hitters, much similar to the Astros use of a camera, monitor, and trash can.
The two franchises saw themselves enter a search for a new field manager, with the Astros brining in the services of good ole’ Dusty Baker. Now the Sox have obtained another familiar, veteran presence in Roenicke. Roenicke managed the Milwaukee Brewers from 2011 to 2015, finishing with a 342-331 record. He won one division title, finished second in manager of the year voting, and had a winnings record in three of his four seasons. He was let go after just 25 games in 2015, before spending time as the Angels third-base coach and then joining Alex Cora’s staff in Boston. There, he served as a minor league manager.
The Sox also waved goodbye to superstar outfielder Mookie Betts and postseason hero David Price just this weekend, shipping both to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a package of young pieces. They enter 2020 with a completely different outlook. Just two years removed form their fourth title of the 2000s, they now sit without all of the big bats and crafty pitchers they once had. Still, they could vie for a postseason spot, though in a tough AL East division. They will do it with a seasoned mind in charge.
