Welcome to 2019, when managers can learn of breaking news during their press conferences.
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora was speaking with reporters at spring training in Fort Myers, Fla., when reports surfaced that free agent shortstop Manny Machado had agreed to a massive contract with the San Diego Padres.
A reporter shared the news with Cora, and naturally, the biggest development of the offseason took the skipper by surprise.
Manny Machado is reportedly heading to the Padres, here is @RedSox skipper @ac13alex 's reaction to the news! #redsox #springtraining #padres #machado https://t.co/R1Y2pASdr2 pic.twitter.com/FRXiYYdJRx — NESN (@NESN) February 19, 2019
"I mean, good for him. Wow, you shocked me right there," Cora said.
We'd imagine Cora is breathing a sigh of relief that Machado didn't choose the rival New York Yankees. He also took a playful swipe at those who thought the White Sox acquiring two of Machado's friends, Jon Jay and Yonder Alonso, would bring him to Chicago.
Local
In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area.
"You say the whole Jon Jay, Yonder thing? That wasn't going to happen," Cora said. "What were they going to do, not play? They signed Jon Jay because he's a good player."
Others may question the All-Star shortstop's decision to join a historically unsuccessful Padres franchise. But Cora insisted he likes what's happening in San Diego.
"I mean, (Eric) Hosmer, Manny, (Fernando) Tatis (Jr.) -- (general manager) A.J. (Preller) is doing a good job over there," Cora noted. "They've got all this talent in the minor leagues. So, you never know where they go now."
The Red Sox will see Machado once this season during a three-game series in San Diego from Aug. 23 to 25. As for the 26-year-old's rocky history with Boston dating to a series of 2017 incidents while he was with the Baltimore Orioles, Cora -- who knows Machado personally -- says that's water under the bridge.
"He's a good player, man," Cora said. "I know he had some issues with the organization a few years ago, whatever, but the kid is from the area, I actually know him. He's, what 26? I guess he got what he wanted. And that's good for the game."
Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Celtics easily on your device.
