Red Sox Reassign Epperson, Cabrera in Coaching Shuffle
The Boston Red Sox reshaped their coaching staff on Wednesday, October 21, reassigning third base coach Chad Epperson and first base coach Pablo Cabrera to minor league roles for 2027. Epperson will manage the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, while Cabrera will return to his previous job as the organization's minor league defensive coordinator, per reports.
Why are the Red Sox changing their base coaches again?
The red sox coaching staff changes 2026 are the first moves of the offseason for manager Chad Tracy, who had the interim tag removed in September after leading Boston to the postseason. Both Epperson and Cabrera were interim fixes themselves. Epperson was managing Double-A Portland when Boston fired Alex Cora in April, and he stepped in as third base coach after Kyle Hudson was let go. Cabrera took over at first base during the same April shakeup.
Epperson drew the most scrutiny in the role. During one stretch in May, four Boston baserunners were thrown out at home plate over six games, and his send decisions stayed a talking point all summer. The move to Worcester is not a demotion out of the organization. Epperson is the winningest manager in Portland Sea Dogs history, and the chad epperson worcester manager job returns him to the role he has done longest — developing players, now one step from Fenway Park.
What does Chad Epperson's move mean for Worcester?
In Worcester, Epperson replaces Iggy Suarez, who finished 2026 as the WooSox interim manager after Tracy was promoted to Boston. Per MLB.com's Ian Browne reporting via NBC Sports Boston, Suarez will stay on as Epperson's bench coach in 2027. Liam Carroll is expected to move up from High-A Greenville to manage Double-A Portland, keeping the system's chain intact.
Cabrera, 29, was one of the youngest coaches on Boston's big league staff this season. He has been in the organization since 2023 and held the defensive coordinator job before his promotion, so his return gives Boston continuity in the minors while Tracy builds a staff of his own choosing for the first time.
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Who will be the Red Sox third base coach in 2027?
That is the open question Boston has not answered. The Red Sox have not announced replacements for Epperson or Cabrera, leaving at least two vacancies on Tracy's staff heading into 2027. Reports have said Boston is likely to look outside the organization for the big league roles, after filling them internally on short notice in April.
The rest of Tracy's staff is expected to remain in place. That stability matters after a rollercoaster 2026, when Boston lost Cora and six staff members in April, then won 32 of 37 games at one point, including a 15-game winning streak, to reach the postseason before a playoff exit that has now prompted this latest round of changes.
Frequently asked questions about the Red Sox coaching changes
Will Chad Epperson still be with the Red Sox organization?
Yes. Chad Epperson remains with Boston and will manage Triple-A Worcester in 2027, with Iggy Suarez as his bench coach.
What will Pablo Cabrera do next season?
Pablo Cabrera returns to his previous role as the Red Sox minor league defensive coordinator, a job he held before joining the big league staff in 2026.
When will Boston name its new base coaches?
Boston has not announced a timeline or replacements yet. The two vacancies are on manager Chad Tracy's staff for the 2027 season.
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Sources:
https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/chad-epperson-coaching-staff-changes/808775/
https://nypost.com/2026/10/21/sports/red-sox-dump-two-more-coaches-after-ugly-playoff-exit/
