Alex Cora detailed how the Boston Red Sox can take the next step in 2026.

The Red Sox made their third playoff appearance in seven seasons under Cora, but the manager knows his team isn’t a finished product. Cora identified areas for improvement during Monday’s MLB Network interview at the annual Winter Meetings.

“One of the things that we want to do better is run prevention,” Cora said. “We pitch well. We were OK defensively. I think range-wise and outs above average in the outfield, we were amazing. But we have to be more consistent.”

Cora blamed defense for Boston’s Game 3 elimination playoff loss to the New York Yankees. The Yankees scored all four runs of a 4-0 win during a disastrous fourth inning for the Red Sox.

“Our defense cost us advancing to the next round,” Cora said.

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