Red Sox Urged to Consider Former Boston Legend as Manager Replacement

Two-time World Series champion Jason Varitek could be the perfect fit to turn around the team's ugly start to the 2026 season.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:08pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant red, navy blue, and white colors representing the Boston Red Sox uniform.The Red Sox's struggles to start the 2026 season have led to calls for a managerial change, with former captain Jason Varitek emerging as a top candidate to provide a needed boost.Boston Today

The Boston Red Sox have struggled to a 1-5 record to start the 2026 MLB season, leading to calls for the team to consider replacing manager Alex Cora. One potential replacement being discussed is former Red Sox captain and two-time World Series champion Jason Varitek, who currently serves as a coach on Cora's staff.

Why it matters

The Red Sox have high expectations after winning the World Series in 2018, but have failed to make the playoffs in most seasons since then under Cora's leadership. Bringing in a beloved former player like Varitek could provide a much-needed boost to team morale and leadership as they try to turn their season around.

The details

Varitek played his entire 15-year MLB career with the Red Sox, serving as team captain from 2005 to 2011. He was a three-time All-Star and was a key part of the 2004 and 2007 championship teams. Varitek has been on Cora's coaching staff for the last six seasons, giving him valuable MLB experience. Promoting him could be an easy transition, especially since he was teammates with current Red Sox coach Craig Breslow in 2006.

  • The Red Sox have started the 2026 season with a 1-5 record.
  • Varitek has been on the Red Sox coaching staff for the last six seasons.

The players

Alex Cora

The current manager of the Boston Red Sox, who has an overall record of 503-475 since taking over in 2018.

Jason Varitek

A former Boston Red Sox player who spent his entire 15-year MLB career with the team, serving as captain from 2005 to 2011. He is a three-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion who has been on the Red Sox coaching staff for the last six seasons.

Craig Breslow

A current coach on the Boston Red Sox staff who was teammates with Jason Varitek in 2006.

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What they’re saying

“Upon further reflection, this is a perfect match. Varitek played his entire 15-year career with the Red Sox, serving as their captain from 2005 through his retirement after the 2011 season. A three-time All-Star, Varitek was the soul of the 2004 and 2007 championship teams and never backed down from a challenge, as Alex Rodriguez learned firsthand. Varitek has also served on Cora's staff for the last six seasons, so he's gotten plenty of MLB coaching experience. Perhaps most importantly, Varitek and Breslow were teammates in 2006, so if the latter thinks highly of him, that could bode well for Varitek's chances of getting an interview.”

— Jake Elman, Writer

What’s next

If the Red Sox continue to struggle through May, they will likely need to make a managerial change. Promoting Jason Varitek from within could provide a much-needed boost to the team.

The takeaway

The Red Sox's struggles to start the 2026 season have led to calls for a managerial change, with former captain and two-time World Series champion Jason Varitek emerging as a top candidate. Varitek's deep ties to the organization and experience on the coaching staff make him an appealing option to help turn the team around.