Alex Cora would tell you his success as a first-year manager of the Boston Red Sox was built on the talent and work of the players. What the players would say is Cora connected with them because of his reflexive honesty. He is direct, and when he says he's going to do something, he'll do it.
The Red Sox haven't played nearly so well in Cora's second year as manager, and it probably surprised none of his players there is no erosion of his truth-telling. Either the team must play better in the days leading up to the trade deadline, Cora told reporters in so many words Monday, or the front office will do whatever club executives believe is necessary. Whether Boston plays well or poorly, there will be consequences.
"That's the nature of the business," Cora said, as reported by the Boston Globe and other news organizations. "I think everyone is smart around here to understand how it works. We do need to play better. Everybody knows it.
"The front office has a job to do. Obviously, our goals are set to win the World Series. If it doesn't look that way and they go somewhere else and take another approach, you've got to respect that."
In the first of seven crucial games over this week, the Red Sox beat Tampa Bay Monday, and then again on Tuesday, which won't reduce the sense of urgency. After another game against the Rays today, there will be four games against the Yankees in Fenway Park, including a Friday doubleheader.
If they win a few games in this span, the Red Sox will likely play out the season with the group they have, perhaps adding some bullpen help.
But what if that doesn't happen? What if the week is a disaster and the Red Sox get pounded by the Yankees?
Some of the pieces the Red Sox -- according to rival evaluators -- might have to weigh in a possible sell-off:
Rick Porcello: The veteran right-hander is headed into free agency in the fall, and although he has struggled in parts of this season, his experience might attract suitors (if the Red Sox were to offset some of his remaining salary, anyway).
Andrew Cashner: The Red Sox just acquired him from the Orioles, assuming responsibility for about $1.7 million of his remaining salary, and if Boston decides to sell, they could flip the right-hander quickly, just as the Twins bought and then sold Jaime Garcia within the same week two seasons ago.
Mitch Moreland: Just activated off the injured list, he could interest contenders looking to plug a hole at first base, or add him for experienced depth. Moreland is owed about $2.5 million for the rest of this season, before he becomes eligible for free agency.
J.D. Martinez: He's in the second year of a five-year, $110 million deal, but the Scott Boras client has an opt-out after this season. Martinez turns 32 in August and players in that age range have not fared well in free agency in recent years, and there would again be concerns about his defense in the outfield. But Martinez showed in 2018 that he can be an extremely well-rounded hitter who can impact teammates around him with his preparation, and it stands to reason he could land a deal worth at least what he stands to make in the last three years of his Boston deal.
Last winter, Andrew McCutchen got three years, $50 million from the Phillies, and two winters ago, Carlos Santana got a three-year, $60 million contract from Philadelphia.
If the Red Sox believe Martinez is going to opt out of his deal, they could move him now for a needed prospect or two. Maybe an American League team would be aggressive, remembering how good he was for the Diamondbacks as a rental in 2017, or maybe one of the National League Central teams would pursue him as a possible difference-maker. Or maybe the Dodgers would be interested, and Martinez would rejoin his batting cage guru, L.A. hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc.
And nothing would prevent the Red Sox from pursuing Martinez as a free agent in the fall. (To be clear: This is speculation. There is no indication yet, rival executives say, that the Red Sox would think about moving Martinez.)
Mookie Betts: Of course there would be interest in the 2018 AL MVP. But executives say that as a general rule, it's much easier to market elite position players in the winter than during the regular season, because more teams will have the flexibility to consider a blockbuster move like that.
A rival executive said of the Red Sox, "They're not going to win the division, and their farm system needs help. If they don't see a legitimate path through the wild card, I could see why they would choose to sell off. They've got payroll stuff they need to handle."