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The Philadelphia Phillies' pursuit of Alex Cora as their next manager has hit a dead end. Cora, who was dismissed by the Boston Red Sox during the 2026 season, has turned down the Phillies' offer for a second time, according to MLB insider Bob Nightengale.
Philadelphia had made Cora their No. 1 target after parting ways with Rob Thomson following a dismal 9-19 start. The connection between Cora and Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, forged during their time together in Boston, made Cora the obvious choice. However, the Phillies will now have to look elsewhere, as Cora will not be in their dugout for at least the 2027 season.
Nightengale reported that Dombrowski spoke with Cora about managing the team in 2027, but Cora informed him he is taking the season off. A high-ranking Phillies executive with direct knowledge of the talks confirmed this to USA TODAY Sports. When initially offered the job in April, Cora cited a desire to spend more time with his family over the summer. No reason was given for his second rejection, and Cora did not respond to a text message from USA TODAY Sports.
Cora is owed $7.25 million from the Red Sox in 2027, the final year of a three-year, $21.75 million contract. With that financial security, he is under no pressure to return to a clubhouse in 2027. The Phillies must now pivot to other managerial candidates.
Key Analysis
Cora's decision could pave the way for Don Mattingly, who served as interim manager after Thomson's departure, to take over full-time. Mattingly was well-liked by the players and guided the Phillies to a 79-55 record after the rough start. However, he declined to discuss his future after the team was eliminated by the Atlanta Braves in the Wild Card Round.
As long as Dombrowski is in charge and Cora remains unemployed, speculation about Cora eventually managing the Phillies will persist. This creates an awkward situation for whoever takes the job next, as Cora could be an option in 2028. The Phillies' managerial search continues with uncertainty looming.