Hot Stove Lunch: Cora's reputation takes a big hit

Major League Baseball is nearing the completion of one investigation into illegal sign-stealing and is about to open another.

Those two inquiries have exactly one thing in common: Alex Cora.

Cora was the bench coach of the 2017 Houston Astros, who appear to have broken the rules with an elaborate sign-stealing operation. And, of course, Cora is the manager of the Red Sox, whom MLB is now investigating for similar misdeeds during its championship 2018 season.

It's too early to determine the level of Cora's involvement in either scandal. As the Astros bench coach, Cora almost certainly knew -- and may well have been a big part -- of the Astros' misdeeds. Manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow, however, are likely the ones who wil be hit hardest in any MLB-ordered discipline.

In Boston, it's a different story.



As the Red Sox' manager, Cora's hand is all over the team's illicit operation.

As a player, Cora gained a reputation for being a wily competitor, one who was adept at noticing when opponents tipped pitches and a renown expert on (legal) sign-stealing.

But these two scandals have nothing to do with instincts or baseball street smarts. The use of cameras and technology is expressly forbidden when it comes to sign-stealing, and both the Astros and Red Sox more than flouted the rules.

Because the Red Sox have priors -- they utilized Apple watches to relay signs from clubhouse to dugout in 2017 under former manager John Farrell -- they're going to be dealt with harshly. Cora, as manager and the one responsible for what takes place in his dugout, is squarely on the line here.

He could face huge fines and length suspensions -- or both.

But there's something else at stake here, too. In the span of a little more than a year, Cora has gone from respected competitor as a player and brilliant rookie manager to a two-time suspected cheater.

And regardless of what MLB does to lighten his wallet or keep him out of the dugout, the real damage done here may be irreparable and not easily repaired.

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