Red Sox grant permission for coach to interview for Twins’ managerial opening

The Red Sox expect all of the coaches on Alex Cora’s staff to return in 2026, except for assistant hitting coach Ben Rosenthal, who was let go this weekend. Things could change, though, if someone from the staff gets a chance to manage elsewhere.

That possibility increased Tuesday with multiple sources confirming that the Red Sox have granted the Twins permission to interview bench coach Ramón Vázquez as Minnesota looks for a new manager. At this time, it’s the only interview lined up for a Red Sox coach. Eight teams — the Twins, Orioles, Angels, Braves, Rockies, Padres, Nationals and Giants — are currently without managers. On Cora’s staff, Vázquez and game-planning/run prevention coach Jason Varitek are the two most likely candidates to receive managerial interest. To this point, no team has requested to interview Varitek.

Vázquez, 49, has been on the Red Sox’ staff for eight seasons and has spent the last three as the bench coach for Cora, a close friend. Vázquez was a major league coach (while working with infielders) from 2018-2021, then moved to first base coach for the 2021 season. He replaced Will Venable as Cora’s top lieutenant in November 2022. Vázquez managed the Red Sox on May 19 while Cora was attending his daughter Camila’s graduation from Boston College.

Vázquez, who appeared in nine big league seasons (including 27 games for the 2005 Red Sox) is an accomplished manager in winter ball in Puerto Rico, having won four titles (two with Santurce and two with Caguas). Cora has often raved about his leadership abilities and hopes he’d be considered for managerial openings. The Twins, after firing Rocco Baldelli, are also reportedly considering Yankees hitting coach James Rowson, Angels executive Kurt Suzuki, former Pirates manager Derek Shelton and others.

Boston’s front office suffered more attrition Tuesday when former assistant general manager Paul Toboni, now the Nationals’ president of baseball operations, poached Red Sox scouting director Devin Pearson as an assistant GM. It’s unclear if any other Boston executives could soon be leaving.

The New York Post’s Jon Heyman first reported Minnesota’s interest in Vázquez.

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