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2007 After coming over from the Indians in a mid-2005 trade, Cora hit well enough that some thought he might win the starting job at short. Then the Sox signed Alex Gonzalez, relegating Cora to the backup role. Despite a shortage of at-bats, he hit well enough through the first four months of the season (.293/.383/.358), but turned into an offensive cipher from August 1 onward (.179/.227/.232). Still a reasonably adept fielder, the Red Sox brought him back on a two-year contract. 2006 The Indians gave Cora a two-year deal last year to play short, but the emergence of Jhonny Peralta sent him to the bench and then to the Red Sox, who could afford such a luxury on the second team. As a utility man, Cora`s as good as you are going to find, but if he hits like he did in 2004, he`s a borderline candidate to start, and with the departure of Renteria that just might happen. After last year, the Red Sox might be looking for defense first at the position, so Cora`s bat might not be a hindrance. 2005 Bounced back after a rough 2003. He's worth at least a win with the glove, so a season like 2004 makes him a valuable player. Still, he probably played a bit over his head—his 18 HBPs added a lot to his on-base percentage and likely won't be replicated—and the Dodgers non-tendered him after signing the more potent Jeff Kent. Even a half-step below his '04 output, Cora will still make a decent signing, for the right price. 2003 Take the best computer program you can find, mate it with the wisdom of the world’s greatest psychic, and even that love child will still be wrong from time to time in this business. Why? Sh...er, stuff happens. Two causes of said stuff: small sample size and the fate of balls in play. Alex Cora went from everyday shortstop to part-time player, digging in just 293 times last year. Combine that nugget with a contact hitter who challenges the defense to make plays, and occasionally you get a 74-point spike in batting average, and related gains everywhere else. The Dodgers will still give Cesar Izturis every chance to be their starting shortstop for the next five years, meaning Cora will either be gone or in a utility role by Opening Day. 2002 Cora is best suited for a bench role. He's quick enough to play shortstop and second base, has enough of an arm to play third base, and the one thing he can do at the plate is make contact. He makes a terrible regular and could lose his job to Cesar Izturis this spring. Explain again how this team stayed in contention until the final couple weeks of the season? 2001 Left-handed-hitting everyday shortstops are fairly rare. Mike Caruso was the regular for about two seasons with the White Sox, who also employed Ozzie Guillen for ten years. Bill Spiers had one year with the Brewers, and you have to go back to Ernest Riles and Craig Reynolds. Cora is a passable stopgap; the Dodgers need something more to win. 2000 Joey’s little brother is a much better defensive player than he was, but he can’t hit and isn’t likely to learn anytime soon. If you had to have a guy like this on the roster, you’d be better off with Juan Castro, who is a fantastic defender and an even worse hitter. Even if something were to happen to Mark Grudzielanek, the Dodgers would be better off moving Jose Vizcaino to shortstop and playing Bocachica or Adam Riggs. In other words, forget Cora. 1999 A left-handed-hitting Juan Castro. Cora's no prospect, but he advanced through the system thanks to a good glove. It's hard to say he has a role as a bench player in Los Angeles, but if he improves his hitting or his base-stealing, he should be able to be a fifth infielder someday. Hey, it pays well.
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