Alex Cora Names Red Sox Player Who Can Take Leap In 2026
Several young Boston Red Sox players are capable of making big gains next season. Alex Cora is counting on one to develop into a key difference-maker.
Alex Speier asked Cora on NESN’s “310 To Left” podcast to identify a Red Sox player who could take a “significant step forward” in 2026. The Boston Globe reporter noted that Cora chose Ceddanne Rafaela when asked a similar question last year.
Boston’s manager stayed in the outfield to identify Wilyer Abreu as a potential breakout candidate. The right fielder must improve against left-handed pitchers to blossom into a permanent lineup fixture.
“We need Willy,” Cora said. “We need to figure out if Willy is a platoon player or an everyday player.”
Abreu finished the season with the Red Sox’s second-most home runs (22) behind Trevor Story in just 417 plate appearances. Along with missing time late in the season due to a calf injury, Abreu also frequently sat against southpaws.
The 26-year-old recorded an .808 OPS against righties and .676 OPS against lefties, an improvement from his .532 OPS versus same-handed pitchers in 2024. Cora believes Abreu can build on that progress and cement himself as a full-time starter.
“I think he can hit lefties,” Cora said. “His swing is a good one. We know he pulls the ball in the air against righties, but I think he can stay on lefties and shoot the ball to left-center.”
Cora also touted Abreu’s defense, claiming he should win a Gold Glove Award despite spending significant time on the injured list. Abreu’s 15 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) is one behind Adolis García for the lead among American League right fielders.
Abreu can round out the puzzle by becoming a more polished hitter in his fourth season.
“He’s very important to our offense,” Cora said. “The challenge will be, this offseason, to cover certain areas of the strike zone and figure out the lefty problem.”
Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets Series History: Which team holds the edge heading to London?
The Denver Broncos and New York Jets have a rivalry that dates back to the old AFL days in the 1960s. They will now take it across the pond to London.
The Broncos have played in just two games since the start of the NFL International Series, with this being their first game in another country since October 30, 2022. The Jets have played in three games in the series, with the most recent coming last season in a 23-17 loss to the
The Broncos and Jets have faced each other 42 times across their histories, with the Broncos holding a close edge in the all-time series,
The Jets have two separate three-game winning streaks over the Broncos and the Broncos won five straight over the Jets from 1967 to 1976. Aside from that, it's been like a teeter-totter.
Denver won the most recent meeting, beating the Jets 10-9 on the road on a rain-soaked field at MetLife Stadium. That got the Broncos to 2-2 on the season and though it wasn't pretty, it was a key win for the team.
The Broncos have a 1-1 record in international games while the Jets are 1-2. It will be a big game for both teams as the Broncos are sitting at 3-2 on the season following a huge win over the
The Broncos and Jets are scheduled for kickoff at 7:30 AM Mountain time and the game will be played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. It will be televised on NFL Network. Rich Eisen and Kurt Warner will call the action.
