Surprising News On Alex Cora, Newest Member of 2009 Mets

And no, we're not talking about the fact that SoSG's own Alex Cora has apparently suckered the Mets into prolonging his major league career. (Rumor has it that Cora was drawn by the snazzy sleeve patches.)

We're talking about the fact that Cora is apparently a Scott Boras client:

Former Red Sox infielder Alex Cora has agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal with the New York Mets. The 33-year-old Cora played with Boston from July 7, 2005 — when he was traded from Cleveland for infielder Ramon Vazquez — through last season.

Cora played in 75 games with the Red Sox last season, hitting .270 with a .371 on-base percentage. The infielder, who did a stint on the 15-day disabled list with a strained elbow, served as the starting shortstop for the Sox in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.

Cora signed a two-year, $4 million deal with the Red Sox following the 2006 season. The Scott Boras client did make one last call to the Red Sox Tuesday night to gauge the team’s interest, but with the presence of Julio Lugo and Jed Lowrie there didn’t prove to be a fit.

Cora Headed for DL

SoSG Alex Cora's profile picture is of Cora being taken off the field on a stretcher, which is fitting after today's news that Cora is likely headed for the Red Sox DL:

CLEVELAND — Though the Red Sox weren’t prepared to make a move before game time, all signs pointed to utility infielder Alex Cora being placed on the disabled list, perhaps as soon as today.

Cora has been out of the lineup since last Wednesday after getting plunked on the right elbow. On Monday, manager Terry Francona said Cora had “no restrictions” in terms of what he could do, but apparently Cora’s progress has been minimal the last few days.

He hit in the cage yesterday afternoon, but the Sox don’t think he’s ready to return to action.

What's worse, the article is accompanied by a picture of Tim Wakefield. Sorry, AC. Rough day.

How Did We Miss This? Alex Cora Jailed!

From "Red Sox player jailed in Martin" from the Palm Beach Post:

Boston Red Sox infielder Alex Cora was booked into the Martin County jail Wednesday on a charge of failure to appear in court for a probation violation connected to a 1999 DUI charge.

Cora played for the L.A. Dodgers in 1999 and was living in Vero Beach for spring training when he was pulled over for speeding near Baker Road and U.S. 1 in Jensen Beach. Deputies arrested him and charged him with DUI after they said he smelled of alcohol and failed field sobriety tests.

Cora pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to probation. According to court records, he later failed to appear in court on a probation violation connected to the case.

Arrest records show Cora turned himself in on Wednesday and was released after he posted $20,000 bond.

Cora's side, from the Boston Herald:

According to a source close to Cora, the 32-year-old believed that the matter, which occurred when he was with the Dodgers, had been fully resolved no later than 2000. In the process of completing a legal transaction in Florida earlier this week, Cora’s name popped up on a computer, and he discovered that it was not settled.

(Hat tip: SbB)

Congratulations, Eric Gagne and Alex Cora!

Sons of Steve Garvey would like to wish beloved former Dodgers Eric Gagne and Alex Cora a hearty congratulations on their World Series win—the first for either player. We wish you could have won your rings while wearing Dodger Blue, but it must be pretty sweet for you guys nonetheless. Well played, gentlemen!

Alex Cora Can't Even Win This Contest

True Blue LA's current poll is "Who was the worst shortstop in LA Dodger history?

Strangely, Alex Cora is only fourth, behind the runaway lead of Jose Offerman (whom I remember a friend once described as "That's 'Offerman,' with two F's and 47 E's"). How Cora isn't at least placing in the top three is beyond me.

The idiot who voted for Rafael Furcal, by the way, should be shot.