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Alex Cora | Third Baseman

Team: St Louis Cardinals
Age / DOB:  (37) / 10/18/1975
Ht / Wt:  6'0' / 200
Bats / Throws: Left / Right
College: Miami (FL)
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Cardinals released INF Alex Cora.
Cora was a longshot to make the Opening Day roster and served primarily in a mentor role with the Cardinals' less experienced infielders. Entering his age-36 season, he offers very little in the way of upside. Sun, Mar 25, 2012 01:34:00 PM

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Player News

Date:
Alex Cora - 3B - Cardinals

Cardinals signed INF Alex Cora to a minor league contract.

Cora's contract comes with an invitation to spring training, where Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the 36-year-old will "serve as both competition and mentor for the club's group of less-experienced infielders." It doesn't sound like he has much of a shot at grabbing an Opening Day roster spot.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Mon, Feb 6, 2012 01:07:00 PM
Alex Cora - 3B - Cardinals

According to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez, the Cardinals are nearing a minor league deal with Alex Cora.

Cora batted just .224/.287/.276 in 172 plate appearances with the Nationals last season. The 36-year-old is doubtful to land a 25-man roster spot in St. Louis.
Related: Cardinals
Source: MLB.com
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 11:19:00 PM
Alex Cora - 3B - Cardinals

Updating a previous item, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that Alex Cora intends to play in MLB this season.

Reports from Puerto Rico indicated that Cora was ready to call it a career, but it turns out that he was merely announcing his retirement from winter ball play. The 36-year-old batted infielder just .224/.287/.276 over 172 plate appearances with the Nationals last season, so we wouldn't be surprised if a lack of interest ultimately pushes him into the coaching profession.
Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 11:16:00 AM
Alex Cora - 3B - Cardinals

Alex Cora has announced his retirement from baseball.

Cora made it official last night after playing the final game of the season for Caguas Criollos in the Puerto Rican Winter League. The 36-year-old will walk away with a .243/.310/.338 career batting line to go along with 828 hits over his 14-year major league career. We'll likely see him in the dugout again real soon in a coaching capacity.
Source: Criollos Caguas on Twitter
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 09:01:00 AM
Alex Cora - 3B - Cardinals

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that there are "a couple teams that want Alex Cora as a coach and a couple that want him as a player."

Cora said at the end of the 2011 season that he planned on playing another year, and Heyman thinks he'll follow through on his word. It sounds like he'll have a chance to get into coaching once his playing career is finished. It's not clear which teams are interested in adding the veteran as a utility player.
Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 09:54:00 AM
Alex Cora - 3B - Cardinals

Alex Cora told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post on Monday that he plans to return for his 15th major league season in 2012.

"I’ll be playing, " said Cora. "I’m only 36. Whenever people talk about the future, you better hold it, because I’m going to be playing until I don’t feel I can play well. I feel like I can contribute and help teams out. In my mind, there’s no doubt about that." Cora, who signed a minor league deal with the Nationals last January, is batting just .219/.282/.258 with a .540 OPS over 171 plate appearances this season. He'll likely begin a career in coaching once his playing days are through.
Source: Washington Post
Mon, Sep 26, 2011 08:13:00 PM
Alex Cora - 3B - Cardinals

Alex Cora lined out as a pinch-hitter in Friday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

Cora had to leave Wednesday's game due to a bout with food poisoning. He should be fine to start, if needed, over the weekend.
Sat, Jun 4, 2011 02:41:00 AM
Alex Cora - 3B - Cardinals

Alex Cora left Wednesday's game against the Phillies due to "stomach issues."

Cora was replaced by Jerry Hairston Jr. at third base to begin the fifth inning. The veteran infielder will likely be back to 100 percent in the next day or so, though he's hardly fantasy relevant.
Related: Jerry Hairston Jr.
Source: Adam Kilgore on Twitter
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 02:42:00 PM
Alex Cora - 3B - Cardinals

Alex Cora left Wednesday's game against the Nationals after four innings for an undisclosed reason.

He went 0-for-1 with a walk before being replaced by Jerry Hairston Jr. at third base. We'll pass along an update on his status as soon as it is made available by the team.
Related: Jerry Hairston Jr.
Source: Adam Kilgore on Twitter
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 02:30:00 PM
Alex Cora - 3B - Cardinals

Alex Cora picked up a pair of singles and stole a base in Thursday's loss to the Phillies.

Cora normally offers very little at the plate, but he does have seven hits in his last three starts to lift his average up to .250. He'll get plenty of playing time at third base while Ryan Zimmerman is out, and with the rash of injuries among NL third basemen recently, he's actually rosterable in single-league formats.
Thu, May 5, 2011 10:18:00 PM
Alex Cora - 3B - Cardinals

Alex Cora will start at shortstop for the Nationals again on Wednesday.

Ian Desmond was placed on the paternity leave list after his wife gave birth to the couple's first child Tuesday, so Cora will fill in for now. He'll bat eighth Wednesday against Mets' right-hander R.A. Dickey.
Related: Ian Desmond
Source: Washington Nationals on Twitter
Wed, Apr 27, 2011 01:47:00 PM
Alex Cora - 3B - Cardinals

Alex Cora is expected to make the Nationals' Opening Day roster.

Cora batted just .210/.266/.278 in 176 plate appearances between the Mets and Rangers last season, but he's enjoying some success at the plate with the Nationals this spring. The club also values his veteran leadership, which is probably his best attribute at this point. If the Nationals keep Cora as a backup infielder, look for Alberto Gonzalez to be cut loose.
Related: Alberto Gonzalez
Source: Nationals.mlb.com
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 09:52:00 AM
Alex Cora - 3B - Cardinals

Nationals signed INF Alex Cora to a minor league contract.

That was quick. Cora can earn $900,000 while a member of the major league roster and another $600,000 via performance-based bonuses. The 35-year-old was not productive at the plate last season at multiple stomping grounds, including the minor leagues, but he has the ability to play multiple infield positions and should see a decent amount of playing time in D.C.
Source: Adam Kilgore on Twitter
Mon, Jan 17, 2011 12:41:00 PM
Alex Cora - 3B - Cardinals

Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports that the Nationals are in "serious talks" with free agent infielder Alex Cora.

Cora was designated for assignment by the Rangers in early September of 2010 after batting just .182 in 22 at-bats with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He's not an offensive threat, but the 35-year-old does have experience at all four infield positions and could serve as a flexible utilityman this year in the nation's capital. A minor league contract should seal the deal.
Related: Nationals
Source: Nationals.mlb.com
Mon, Jan 17, 2011 12:00:00 PM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1Yadier Molina
2Tony Cruz
1B1Allen Craig
2Matt Adams
2B1Matt Carpenter
2Daniel Descalso
SS1Pete Kozma
2Rafael Furcal
3B1David Freese
2Ty Wigginton
LF1Matt Holliday
CF1Jon Jay
2Shane Robinson
RF1Carlos Beltran
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1Adam Wainwright
2Jaime Garcia
3Jake Westbrook
4Lance Lynn
5Shelby Miller
6Chris Carpenter
7John Gast
8Tyler Lyons
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Edward Mujica
2Trevor Rosenthal
3Randy Choate
4Carlos Martinez
5Joe Kelly
6Fernando Salas
7Seth Maness
8Mitchell Boggs
9Jason Motte