Are the Boston Red Sox gradually spiraling downward? Looking at the way things are going, it feels like déjà vu. On Wednesday night, the Red Sox tried once more but suffered another loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, this time on a walk-off in the bottom of the tenth inning. As they stumbled into a five-game losing streak, much of the heat landed on Alex Cora. Amid mounting calls for the firing of the Red Sox’s manager, let’s not forget how his vision has always gone beyond wins and losses: the culture he’s been building since the day he arrived. 

This much is undeniable: it was the winning culture created by Cora that led the Red Sox to a World Series championship in 2018. Right after his appointment as the manager in 2017, he knew the challenge ahead. “I know what I signed up for. I signed up to win a World Series,” he said—and he did exactly that. He not only created an ecosystem that attracted new members but also developed strong relationships with each of them. Over time, a “culture change” based on mutual respect, healthy rivalry, and understanding was brought about by Cora’s frequent conversations with players. 

Now, as the Red Sox struggle and calls for a player promotion grow louder, Cora opened up about the welcoming culture the Sox have built for the rookies. In a conversation with Chris Cotillo at Fenway Fest, Cora said, “Rookies come here to contribute; rookies don’t come here to carry teams.” And he isn’t wrong. Remember how pitcher Nathan Eovaldi delivered an impressive performance in 2018? All thanks to Cora’s willingness to experiment. “Everything he did worked. He just has a way of making you believe,” said Eovaldi. 

“Whenever they get here, we’re not going to ask them to carry the offense or be the savior defensively. We want them to contribute in every aspect of the game and help us win ballgames,” added Cora. 

Cora’s illustration of Sox’s culture for rookies came in the light of a 21-year-old rookie promotion, which gathered quite the attention. Roman Anthony, the 21-year-old phenom, showcased his skills in the minor leagues—solid contact at the plate, hustling around the bases, and effective defense in the outfield. With the Red Sox’s offense struggling, he might just get a call from Triple-A Worcester, especially since he’s averaging .318 with eight home runs, 23 RBIs, and a .978 OPS.

With a big gap in their offense, bringing Anthony to the major league seems like the only option. If he’s called up, the Red Sox might have to sacrifice an outfielder. More importantly, his inclusion doesn’t guarantee a solution to the team’s current problems.

Still, a change may be needed sooner rather than later. But why hasn’t Anthony been part of the plan until now?

Why isn’t Red Sox’s Roman Anthony at Fenway Park yet?

This is a question on many minds, given the skills he’s shown in the minors. But apparently, his skills are not adequate to help the Red Sox overcome their struggles, as Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow said. The front office plans to have certain developmental opportunities they’d like to explore, considering the schedule and training structure. It’s fair to say that while the talent is there, there are still areas that need improvement.

The Sox don’t want to promote him just to fill a gap; rather, they want him to perform to his potential and make a significant impact on the game. Rushing him could have the opposite effect. But even if they do bring up Anthony, how will he fit into the lineup?

Well, if you see, both Ceddanne Rafaela and Trevor Story haven’t been in good form. Not only did they struggle at the plate, but their numbers don’t reflect their true calibre. While Story boasts a .617 OPS, Rafaela has a .646 OPS. Meanwhile, the young Anthony has proved his mettle earlier as well,  advancing from Low-A to Double-A at just 19 years old. Anthony is currently slashing at .320/.452/.529 in just 48 games.

In addition to the fans calling for him to move from Worcester to Boston, the organization’s officials are also calling for his promotion. Perhaps, there’s a bleak chance to accommodate Anthony anywhere. If they shift Rafaela to the utility role and move Jarren Duran to left field, they could get Anthony into left field. However, they must not rely entirely on him to save the team from fallout.