“We’re back in baseball,” Alex Cora talks about reunion with Alex Bregman and Astros 2017 cheating scandal’s implications

Alex Cora is happy to be reunited with Alex Bregman after the 2017 cheating scandal heavily impacted everyone involved.

“We’re back in baseball,” Alex Cora talks about reunion with Alex Bregman and Astros 2017 cheating scandal’s implications

Alex Cora and Alex Bregman [Image Credit: Mass Live/Athlon Sports]

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora commented on his unexpected reunion with baseman Alex Bregman for the 2025 season. Bregman-Red Sox signing came as a surprise to many but the one who has shocked must have been Cora.

Amidst some shut-eye eve on Wednesday, Alex Cora’s phone blew up with calls and notifications from staff about the 3-year $120 million deal with Bregman. Cora admitted that he was ready to arrive early for Spring Training as he had high doubts the deal would be done.

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However, it did happen and on Thursday a re-energized team reported for Spring Training with Alex Bregman as their fresh joinee. Both Cora and Bregman went through a lot following the Houston Astros 2017 sign-stealing scandal.

Cora, who joined the Red Sox after the Astros’ 2017 season, was immediately fired by the team. While the Astros welcomed him back after the MLB suspension, the cheating scandal impacted the coach, manager, and all the players involved.

With all those guys, we went through a lot, we’re still going through a lot. We made a mistake in ’17 and some of us paid the price and we’re back in baseball. We got a second chance…It’s a group that we accepted what we did and we move on.

Alex Cora as per Matt Young of Houston Chronicle.com.

While Bregman was not suspended by the league, he got heavily booed by the MLB fans in almost all the games, even in Boston’s Fenway Park. apart from these two, Astros manager A.J. Hinch was also suspended for a year, and the NY Mets fired Carlos Beltran who was hired as their manager just months ago.

While Bregman and Cora’s relationship did suffer a strain following the cheating scandal, the two remained close regardless of the team. Now with both being back once again on the same team, the Red Sox are ready to take on the 2025 season.

Alex Cora talks talks about his relationship with Alex Bregman after 2017 scandal

The 2017 sign-stealing scandal still haunts the MLB as the whole baseball world felt betrayed by the Houston Astros’ actions. However, with the past staying in the past, Alex Cora and Alex Bregman are ready to start their new chapter with the Boston Red Sox in 2025.

Alex Cora and Alex Bregman
Alex Cora and Alex Bregman [Image Credit: NY Times/Athlon Sports]

Cora noted that Bregman was someone he really looked up to and with him joining the team, they’ll have some serious firepower for the 2025 season. Furthermore, after going through the 2017 season with the Astros they have a strong bond that ties them together.

As a person, he’s a kid that I really respect; I really like. We went through a lot for a while there. We have a good relationship.

Alex Cora as per Matt Young of Houston Chronicle.com.

As of now, it is unclear which position Bregman will play for the upcoming season. Cora believes that since Bregman’s got “quick hands” and “good footwork” he can commit to any position on the field. The official decision will only be known after the Spring Training camp.