McAdam: Alex Cora treads very carefully as spring training gets underway

FORT MYERS, Fla. – It will take a while before we know how Alex Cora manages games for the Red Sox.

But we already know, based on Tuesday’s first press conference of the spring, how he’ll manage his words: Carefully. Very carefully.

Over the course of 15 minutes or so, Cora sidestepped, bobbed and weaved around any potential landmines. His plans were vague, bordering on evasive.

At times, it seemed as though Cora was about to pull on a hoodie and say: “In the end, we have to make decisions that are best for the (baseball) team.’’

There’s no actual proof that he’s spent part of the winter watching video of Bill Belichick’s interactions with the media. But he might have.

When, for instance, he was asked whether Christian Vazquez would move into the No. 1 catcher’s role, Cora turned noncommittal into performance art. It would seem a logical step, given Vazquez’s emergence in the second half as a more complete catcher.

So, what about it?

“I anticipate that we’re going to have a great defensive catcher, a general behind the plate, that’s going to execute the game plan,’’ said Cora. “And both (Vazquez and Sandy Leon) are capable. On a daily basis, we’ll see. Both are really, really good. We’re going to be well-covered on a daily basis behind the plate.’'

Sure, but what about the notion of having a primary catcher and a more conventional backup?

“I want a guy behind the plate on a daily basis that’s going to do the job,’’ said Cora, making sure to not divulge too much. “And both of them can do that. That’s the most important thing. I feel very comfortable that both are going to accept the adjustments and digest the information and on a daily basis, they’re going to put out the right numbers, or right suggestions, behind the plate. I’m comfortable with that.’’

A year ago, Leon paired almost exclusively with Chris Sale as a sort of personal catcher. Will that continue?

“I want to have the best lineup possible on a daily basis,’’ responded Cora. “And that’s going to part of it. I think everybody feels comfortable with the way they handle a pitching staff, the way they catch, the way they present pitchers and that’s very important for what we’re trying to accomplish.’’

Oh.

Then the topic turned to Dustin Pedroia, who underwent major surgery on his knee.

It’s a given that he won’t be ready to start the season, but when might he return to action?

“Every report that we have is that he’s taking the right steps toward being healthy,’’ said Cora. “When we see him in the lineup, that’s when he’s healthy. When he’s healthy, we’re going to put him in the lineup.’’

Got it. And in the interim, who plays second base?

“We’ve got options,’’ said Cora, without mentioning any actual names. “Obviously, spring is going to determine (playing time). I feel comfortable with the guys that we have.’’

Will Blake Swihart be in the mix at second base?

“I see Swihart in the mix of the Red Sox, (and the) 25-man roster,’’ countered Cora. “He’s a guy who, offensively, he’s a plus and he’ll bring versatility to the roster.’’

And that would include being in competition for playing time at second base?

“Oh yeah, second, third…. anywhere,’’ Cora said.

What about Steven Wright? He’s coming off knee surgery. Will be available by Opening Day?

“I can’t give you a timeline,’’ said Cora. “I don’t think that’s right for the player.’’

There were more examples, but you get the idea.

Cora is new to all of this and he seems understandably intent on not saying the wrong thing, or saying something prematurely. There’s plenty of time between now and Opening Day to make evaluations, and on the day on which pitchers and catchers reported, Cora was determined not to get ahead of himself. That, too, is understandable.

And now more than ever, a major league manager has plenty of daily interaction with the media and controlling the message is critical. For now, we can guess that Cora isn’t going to be coloring outside of the lines. He’ll stay on point and not box himself into any rhetorical corner -- which is what most front offices now desire of their managers.

’’My style,’’ he said at one point, “is yet to be determined.’’

It’s early yet, but for now, “candid’’ would seem to be off the table.