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The Philadelphia Phillies had zeroed in on one primary target for their managerial opening this offseason. Alex Cora appeared to be a lock to take the helm in Philadelphia for the 2027 season. However, that certainty evaporated late Tuesday night when Bob Nightengale reported that Cora will sit out the 2027 campaign altogether, leaving the Phillies without a clear frontrunner.
Cora's name first surfaced as a possible replacement for Rob Thomson in early 2026, after Thomson was dismissed by Philadelphia. Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies' president of baseball operations, even contacted Cora to gauge his interest before officially parting ways with Thomson. Cora turned down the overture, preferring to step away from managing to devote time to his family. Consequently, the Phillies turned to Don Mattingly as interim manager for the rest of the season.
Cora and Dombrowski share a deep professional history. Dombrowski gave Cora his first managerial opportunity with the Boston Red Sox, and Cora rewarded that faith by guiding the club to a World Series title in 2018. Now, with Cora out of the picture, the Phillies must think creatively to fill their managerial vacancy. What once seemed like a straightforward hire has become a complex puzzle for Dombrowski.
Key Analysis
Mattingly remains under contract for 2027 as the team's bench coach, but a return to the manager's seat is viewed as unlikely. Several other candidates could emerge for the role. Brad Ausmus, currently the bench coach for the New York Yankees, has a prior connection to Dombrowski from their days together in Detroit, where Dombrowski hired him as Tigers manager in 2014. Ausmus's first managerial stint did not yield much success, yet his relationship with Dombrowski makes him a name to monitor.
Howie Kendrick has been part of the Phillies' staff since 2020 as a special assistant to the general manager. A former MLB player from 2006 to 2020, including a brief stint in Philadelphia in 2017, Kendrick lacks managerial experience but would be an intriguing internal promotion. Another internal possibility is pitching coach Caleb Cotham.
Raul Ibanez would be an ideal fit for the Phillies, though his hiring seems improbable. Ibanez has received multiple managerial opportunities and declined them all, suggesting he has little desire to manage in the majors. Still, Dombrowski should reach out to gauge his interest. Ibanez spent three seasons with Philadelphia, earning an All-Star nod in 2009. If he ever wanted to manage, the Phillies would be a perfect destination.
With Cora no longer an option, the Phillies and Dombrowski find themselves in a difficult position. A wide array of candidates exists, but Dombrowski must identify the right one. The margin for error is slim as the organization searches for its next skipper.
Originally reported by yardbarker.