Alex Cora Torched for Fostering Boone-Volpe Toxicity as Red Sox Hide Epic $44M Fail in Rafael Devers Trade

Ranked second in the league for committing the most errors (18) league-wide, Anthony Volpe has Aaron Boone in his corner. Despite slashing only .207/.271/.397 with 18 homers, Boone has publicly defended Volpe on several occasions. Evidence? His recent comments, “First of all, he’s a more offensive player than he gets credit for. He’s still a frontline defensive player at a premium position that is offensively somewhat productive.” And, now, it seems Alex Cora has taken a leaf out of his counterpart’s book when it comes to a $44 million player.

Jordan Hicks was acquired from the San Francisco Giants in the Rafael Devers trade. The right-hander was supposed to bolster Boston’s late-inning relief corps. However, in the Red Sox’s loss on Friday, Hicks entered in the eighth inning and allowed a go-ahead run on a squeeze play, giving the Pirates a big lead in his 0.1 inning. The following day, in the Red Sox’s 3-10 loss to the Pirates, Hicks pitched one inning, giving up two hits and one earned run, walking a batter, and striking out none.

Yet, manager Alex Cora remains steadfast in his belief in Hicks’ potential. “I hate to say it, but we are close stuff-wise. McCutchen got a hit up the middle, the ball off the wall, and a wild pitch. After that, he settled down and got people out. He’s here for a reason. We believe in the stuff. We just have to keep working with him.” Cora said.

This isn’t the first time Cora has come in defense of Hicks. Recently, Cora told Tim Healey of the Boston Globe that Hicks is “a big part of what we’re trying to accomplish,” despite his 6.23 ERA over 14 appearances and as many walks and hit batters as strikeouts. It’s fair to say that this public backing of Hicks when the eye-test says something different has not gone down well with the Boston faithful.

Fans react to Alex Cora’s defense of Jordan Hicks amid Red Sox struggles

Critics suggest that Cora’s defense of Hicks, paired with the ongoing praise for Volpe from Boone, may be fostering what some are calling “Boone-Volpe toxicity” in Boston. Witnessing Cora’s defense, the Red Sox nation was quick to point out one thing. “Do we have Boone as our manager?” Boone’s backing of Volpe is one of a few reasons why he’s been on the hot seat the last few weeks. Even when Volpe agrees, he needs to do better. He recently admitted, “I know I can do better.” And fans are seeing a similar scenario unfolding in Boston, much to their chagrin.

Another fan noted, “Jordan Hicks getting the Aaron Boone/Anthony Volpe treatment in Boston is not something I anticipated. He’s been objectively horrendous. It’s not even here and there. It’s borderline every time out.” Nobody saw Cora’s unwavering support coming for a pitcher who has struggled visibly since arriving in Boston. Moreover, Hicks’ arrival in the lineup had sent All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers to San Francisco. That was the main crux of why this trade was met with skepticism.

Some believe that the Red Sox are defending Hicks to justify the Rafael Devers trade. “They have to not make the Devers trade look STUPID AS HELL.” When the Red Sox sent Devers to the Giants, they received scathing criticism from all quarters. And it’s safe to say that sentiment hasn’t changed a bit yet. Another fan chimed in with something similar. “They need to save face and say they got an asset in the Devers trade.” This trade was particularly controversial. After all, Devers was a three-time All-Star and the team’s long-term investment. And now, the fans are not missing out on the opportunity to tell the team, “We told you so”.

Fans are frustrated that the team is holding Hicks’ hand while contending for a playoff spot. “If he believed that Hicks is getting close with his stuff, that’s fine. But we’re contending for a playoff spot, and this is not the time to experiment or hold his hand as Hicks tries to figure it out.”  The Red Sox are currently third in the AL East, 3 1/2 games behind the division-leading Blue Jays. Holding the second AL Wild Card spot, Boston wouldn’t want to miss out on the opportunity to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2021. But Alex Cora’s constant backing for Jordan Hicks isn’t helping their cause in the least.