Alex Cora says ESPNers used to start fake MLB trade rumors: ‘People made s–t up’

Red Sox manager Alex Cora had some advice for his players in trying to navigate the MLB trade deadline rumor mill, while also seemingly criticizing one network’s talent over their coverage. 

While addressing a question about what he tells his guys about getting through the deadline – which comes this Thursday at 6 p.m. EST –  Cora explained that he told his players, essentially, not to believe everything they hear. 

“Don’t read too much,” Cora told reporters on Sunday about what he tells his squad.  

“I can tell them stories about ESPN in the green room, how people made s–t up – you know, trades. And I can tell them that don’t believe everything that is said, you know?

The MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching and speculation over potential deals is at its peak as fans and media try to decipher what players and teams will make splashes before the deadline. 

The Red Sox manager said that he does understand why it’s such a big topic because “that’s what rules the world.”

“You get into any social platform, and if you’re looking for baseball, then your feed is going to be full of baseball stories, right? And there’s a lot of people that are very responsible with their trades, rumors and their contacts. Others, they’re not. So just block it,” he continued before the Red Sox beat the Dodgers 4-3 at Fenway Park.

Cora was asked to clarify his comments and whether people at ESPN, where the Red Sox manager had worked as a baseball analyst for four years, did make up fake trade rumors. 

“I got stories, man. I don’t wanna bury people,” Cora replied. 

Cora played 14 seasons in the majors, including parts of two seasons with the Mets, and worked as an analyst for ESPN’s baseball coverage after his playing days came to an end. 

He left the media to become a bench coach with the Astros in 2017, kicking off his rise through the baseball coaching ranks — winning the 2018 World Series with Boston.