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Cora signs with Mets

Email|Link|Comments (5) Posted by Chad Finn, Globe Staff January 22, 2009 04:42 PM

The New York Mets formally announced this afternoon that they have signed former Red Sox utilityman Alex Cora to a one-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but ESPN.com reported earlier this week that he will receive $2 million in 2008.

Last season, the 33-year-old Cora batted .270 in 75 games for the Red Sox. He started 41 games, 38 at shortstop. He was the primary reserve infielder on the Red Sox' 2007 championship team.

"You win championships with a 25-man roster," said Mets general manager Omar Minaya. "Alex Cora has been an integral part of teams that have been to the postseason in four of the last five years."

Cora, who was acquired by the Red Sox from the Indians in July 2005 in exchange for Ramon Vazquez, has a .245 career batting average with 117 doubles, 34 triples, 34 home runs and 242 RBI. He has also has played for the Dodgers.

"I'm excited to join the Mets," said Cora. "We have a talented roster. I'm committed to do everything I can in any role to win."

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5 comments so far...

I seem to be the only one in my family, but I will be sad to see him go, I was really kind of thinking when Brad Mills finally gets a manager offer he can't turn down, Alex Cora would become our bench coach. And I keep thinking that this means more and more likely as much as they want Lowrie for their starting shortstop, the fact that he can play second and third and Lugo can only play short it just means Lowrie is our utility man now for the positions that Kotsay as the utlityman to play all other positions.

Posted by Kate January 22, 09 05:30 PM

Good luck Alex. You did a great job for the Sox, and we are especially grateful for the way you mentored Dustin Pedroia and Jed Lowrie. We will miss your rock steady presence on the field and in the clubhouse.

Posted by Giraud January 22, 09 05:52 PM

excellent role player-- he'll be missed

Posted by greg swiatkowski January 22, 09 10:52 PM

Sorry to see Cora go...but with the expensive Lugo and Lowrie making the case he belongs in '09 if not as the starter but in the similar role Cora occupied, Cora's departure was inevitable. His character, professionalism and baseball accumen will be missed.

Posted by Christopher Vincent Vitto January 23, 09 09:40 PM

Alex is a class act who possesses an immense amount of baseball knowledge. It was great having him here with the Sox for a couple of years. Who will ever forget his 18 pitch at bat when he was a Dodger in 2004 when he fouled off 14 pitches before hitting a 2 run homer off Matt Clement (Cubs); an at bat for the history books. I would love to see him back in a Sox uni as a coach when he hangs up his cleats. Good Luck Alex Cora.

Posted by jingle_ballz January 25, 09 05:47 PM