Chad

Tracy

Epperson was serving as the manager at Double-A when the Red Sox fired Alex Cora and six other members of the MLB coaching staff back in April. The team wanted to fill roles from within, so Epperson was called up and given the job as third base coach. He will now reportedly be asked to manage Triple-A Worcester, Chad Tracy’s old job. It’s been reported that Cabrera will return to his previous role as the organization’s minor league defensive coordinator. At 29 years old, he was one of the youngest coaches on the Red Sox’s staff this season and will likely get another opportunity in years to come. The Red Sox will likely look outside the organization to fill their roles on the MLB staff.

It’s unclear how the Red Sox are going to handle the situation since they’re ostensibly locked into the second Wild Card spot heading into the playoffs next week. Patrick Sandoval was scheduled to start Sunday’s season finale and will presumably get the ball on Saturday instead, weather permitting. Jake Bennett, Payton Tolle and Brayan Bello are also in the mix to pitch as well. It’ll be Matthew Boyd and David Peterson most getting the ball for the Cubs during the twin bill with Justin Steele (elbow) in the mix to return from the injured list this weekend. There are a ton of variables that fantasy managers need to monitor with Boston facing inclement weather from roughly Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.

Turns out, all you have to do to get a full-time title is take a team that was 14 games under .500 in June and lead them to the playoffs. Tracy’s contract will cover the next three seasons with a club option for 2030. He will be the 49th manager in Red Sox history and certainly earned the job with his performance this season.

Tracy will take over after the team announced the firing of Alex Cora. The 45-year-old has been the manager for Worcester — Boston’s Triple-A club — since 2023. A good showing over the final 125-plus games will give him a shot at keeping the gig for good. The club also promoted Chad Epperson as third base coach and Collin Heltzler to be a part of the hitting staff from Worcester.

Tracy was the Double-A Texas League Player of the Year in 2002, and is having another strong season for Triple-A Tucson this year. It’s possible that the D’Backs will sour on Lyle Overbay to settle on Hillenbrand at first base, re-opening third base for Tracy.

Tracy said he asked Garagiola if he should get himself a first baseman’s mitt or an outfield glove and got the reply, “It wouldn’t be bad to pick up one of each.” No similar phone call was made to Shea Hillenbrand, who could be traded (Seattle?) or non-tendered.

Because the Diamondbacks have settled on Shea Hillenbrand as their third baseman for the long term, Tracy has been moving around and is also expected to see time in right field. He’ll probably open next year back in Triple-A, but if the Diamondbacks consider him a possibility at any of the corner spots, odds are that an injury will give him an opportunity at some point.

Tracy, normally a third baseman, also played some outfield in the Dominican Winter League. He’s trying to make the Diamondbacks as a reserve. Whether he does or not, he could become a regular at some point if Denny Bautista fails to bounce back or if Luis Gonzalez blows out his elbow.

Tracy was hitting .258 with five homers in 26 games this winter. With third base blocked by Shea Hillenbrand, Tracy was playing some outfield in the Dominican Republic. He could continue to see time in left and right in the minors next season.

Hillenbrand is batting .182, but it would take awhile to lose his job. Tracy has value in NL-only leagues if he can find at-bats in Arizona. It may take awhile, but Tracy’s worth stashing away.