MLB: New contracts for Red Sox’ Alex Cora, Commissioner Manfred

Alex Cora brought a new voice and culture to the Boston Red Sox that helped propel them to their latest World Series title.

The Red Sox rewarded him for bringing home a championship in his first year with the team by giving him a new contract with an additional guaranteed year through the 2021 season.

The deal containing the extension was announced Wednesday by Boston and also includes a club option for 2022.

In his rookie season as a major league manager, Cora guided the Red Sox to a franchise-record 108 victories and the team’s fourth championship in 15 seasons. He finished second in the AL Manager of the Year voting announced Tuesday.

“We have consistently been impressed by Alex at every turn,” Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said in a statement. “His knowledge of the game, ability to connect with our players, and his incredible instincts and decisiveness led us to an historic championship season. We know we are in good hands and could not be more pleased to know he will be with us for the foreseeable future.”

After the historic regular season, Cora then steered Boston past the 100-win Yankees and Astros in the AL playoffs before downing the Dodgers in the World Series.

“For me, 2018 was not only historic, but it was special as well, both on and off the field,” Cora said in a statement. “We have a great appreciation for our accomplishments this past year, but now our focus moves forward to the season ahead and defending our World Series title.”

Owners announce new contract for commissioner

Baseball owners have locked down their commissioner and their main broadcast partner too. Any decisions on speeding up the game and perhaps making it more enjoyable to watch will have to wait.

After wrapping up two days of meetings at a hotel next to the Atlanta Braves’ SunTrust Park, the owners announced a new contract for Commissioner Rob Manfred, keeping him on the job at least through the 2024 regular season. The 60-year-old started a five-year term in January 2015.

TV deal signed

The owners also signed off on a new television deal with Fox, which still has three seasons to go on its current eight-year contract that pays baseball an average of $525 million per season.

The seven-year extension, which runs through 2028, will be worth just more than $5 billion to MLB — roughly a 36% increase to an average of about $715 million per season.

Etc.

The Miami Marlins rolled out new uniform colors and a redesigned “M” logo, one more cosmetic touch in a franchise makeover as new owners Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter continue to distance themselves from the past.

So out go the orange uniforms introduced by previous owner Jeffrey Loria when the team moved into Marlins Park in 2012. In comes a combination of red, blue, black and grey Caliente — a scheme that is kinder to the eye. The block “M” logo — one that featured five colors — is also giving way to a curvier, more stylish “M.”