The Boston Red Sox are doing what any self-respecting big-market team does when the wheels wobble—they’re pretending everything is fine. With Fenway Park serving up frustration as often as fastballs, and Alex Cora sounding more like a therapist than a manager, Boston insists it’s not time to panic. “We keep making the same mistakes, we’re not getting better. At one point, it has to be on me, I guess, right? I’m the manager. I got to keep pushing them to get better. They’re not getting better. They’re not. We keep making the same mistakes,” he said.  Yet, the front office might soon need to choose between denial and doing business. And yes, they’ve got some tempting inventory.

They are nowhere near the position they thought they would be before the season started. With some major injuries in their top teams, the Red Sox were expected to make the postseason. Now, they are struggling to get past the Los Angeles Angels, who are not very far behind them in the win-loss record. Fans are expecting some changes, but the front office seems to be sitting back.

When teams struggle, heads usually roll—but Boston seems committed to calm while chaos brews around them. Jon Heyman hinted that change is unlikely, but one breakout star could spark a frenzy if dangled. He said, “They haven’t decided yet. Another team that certainly does not want to sell… They definitely also have some pieces if they do decide to trade. Jaren Duran is a guy who will be very, very sought after.”

The Boston Red Sox’s steadfast reluctance to make significant changes amid a season of underperformance is raising eyebrows. Despite a middling record and evident roster deficiencies, the front office appears hesitant to pivot, potentially squandering opportunities to strengthen the team.

This inertia is particularly perplexing given the team’s history of decisive moves in similar situations. The current approach suggests a disconnect between the organization’s actions and the pressing needs of the roster. While much attention has been on outfielder Jarren Duran as a potential trade asset, other players like Tyler O’Neill present viable alternatives for roster adjustments. O’Neill, despite a strong start to the season, has seen a decline in performance and could be leveraged to address other areas of need.

Exploring such options might allow the Red Sox to recalibrate without sacrificing key contributors like Duran. Proactive decision-making in this regard could be crucial for the team’s aspirations moving forward.

It’s one thing to ride out a slump—it’s another to nap through the storm. The Red Sox seem dangerously close to doing the latter. Just listen to what Cora said after their loss against the Los Angeles Angels. “Missed the cutoff guy, they scored two, we hit the eighth hitter, we walked the ninth hitter, we didn’t execute a bunt play, we didn’t advance when we needed to. You can talk about chances. I can tell you the chances we gave the opposition. We were lucky to be in that game at the end, to be honest with you.” 

If Boston truly believes standing still is a strategy, they might soon find themselves sprinting to stay relevant. Clinging to Duran while ignoring tradable struggles like O’Neill’s isn’t clever—it’s classic Fenway indecision dressed as loyalty. Inaction isn’t always patience; sometimes, it’s just procrastination with better PR.

There is no more hiding behind the players for Alex Cora

Accountability isn’t a souvenir you get to keep from 2018. It expires, especially when mediocrity becomes your calling card. For the Boston Red Sox, the camouflage of charm and championship nostalgia is officially threadbare. And Alex Cora? He’s no longer the clever tactician pulling strings from behind the curtain—he’s front and center, holding the frayed wires of a team that can’t stop tripping over its own feet.

The Boston Red Sox aren’t just losing games—they’re unraveling at the seams. Injuries have piled up like unpaid bills, but bad luck isn’t the only villain here. Sloppy defense, mental mistakes, and one-run heartbreaks have defined their season. With a 6-17 record in close games, it’s no longer about “almost”—it’s about accountability.

Players like Rafael Devers and Trevor Story haven’t lived up to their contracts or expectations. But blaming only them would be lazy analysis. This team leads the league in errors and looks mentally unprepared far too often. That reflects poorly on the man filling out the lineup card every night—Alex Cora.

Cora’s missteps have been loud and costly. From awkwardly dodging leadership moments with Devers to head-scratching bullpen choices, he’s looked unsure. His refusal to clean up defensive fundamentals has haunted them like a bad echo. At some point, the manager has to stop talking about improvement and start demanding it.

Cora says the team isn’t getting better—and he’s right. But that’s not just an observation; it’s an indictment. The Red Sox aren’t suffering from a lack of talent—they’re suffering from a lack of direction. If this is what leadership looks like, Fenway might need less nostalgia and more accountability. After all, banners don’t coach teams—managers do.