Red Sox, Alex Cora 'Part Ways' After Cheating Scandal

The Red Sox and manager Alex Cora have agreed to "part ways" after Major League Baseball ruled him guilty in one cheating scandal and implicated him in another.

The Red Sox announced the change Tuesday night in a statement by owners John Henry, Tom Werner and Sam Kennedy. They had met with Cora earlier in the day to discuss the report released Monday by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, which identified Cora as a ringleader in Houston's sign-stealing scandal.

That scandal already had resulted in the suspension and firing of the Astros' general manager and manager.

"Given the findings and the Commissioner’s ruling, we collectively decided that it would not be possible for Alex to effectively lead the club going forward and we mutually agreed to part ways," the Red Sox said.

"This is a sad day for us," the statement continued. "Alex is a special person and a beloved member of the Red Sox. We are grateful for his impact on our franchise. We will miss his passion, his energy and his significant contributions to the communities of New England and Puerto Rico."

Cora thanked the ownership and organization in a statement released by the team, saying he will miss Boston.

"We agreed today that parting ways was the best thing for the organization," Cora said. "I do not want to be a distraction to the Red Sox as they move forward.

"My two years as manager were the best years of my life. It was an honor to manage these teams and help bring a World Series Championship back to Boston. I will forever be indebted to the organization and the fans who supported me as a player, a manager and in my efforts to help Puerto Rico. This is a special place. There is nothing like it in all of baseball, and I will miss it dearly."

A press conference is scheduled for Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Fenway Park.

Manfred said Cora helped develop and implement a sign-stealing scheme in Houston, where was the bench coach for the World Series champions in 2017. MLB on Monday issued one-year suspensions for Astros manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Lunhow and levied fines and other penalties on the franchise. The Astros' owner fired Hinch and Lunhow shortly after.

Cora is also implicated in another sign-stealing scandal involving the Red Sox. Reports said Boston stole signs from the video replay room and relayed them to players, who after reaching base would relay them to the batters during the 2018 championship season.

Cora will still face discipline by MLB, likely in the form of a lengthy ban that could stretch across several seasons. ESPN reported his punishment will be "harsh."

Dave Dombrowski, the general manager during 2018, could also face discipline. He was fired at the end of last season.

While stealing signs is generally accepted as gamesmanship in baseball, using electronics to help is illegal.

The move cuts Cora's Red Sox tenure to a stunningly short two years. The affable 44-year-old former infielder looked to be a long-term fixture in the dugout after the Red Sox won the World Series in 2018, his first season in Boston. The Puerto Rican native connected with some of the younger Latino players in way other managers were unable to.

The Red Sox were 192-132 in Cora's two seasons, including a franchise-record 108-win season in 2018.

There is no word on who the next Red Sox manager may be. The team begins Spring Training in less than a month. Bench coach Ron Roenicke, who previously managed the Milwaukee Brewers from 2011-15, may be next in line.