During the 2026 MLB regular season, a number of teams changed managers, including the Philadelphia Phillies.
But the Phillies have prospered in contrast to some of its competitors, such the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets. The team has flourished under Don Mattingly, becoming one of the top teams in baseball.
Mattingly is now serving as the interim manager in place of Rob Thomson, who was sacked when the team was 9-19, and given how well Philadelphia has done, it is reasonable to ask whether he would be considered for the position permanently.
But regardless of what Mattingly accomplishes as the Phillies’ manager, it doesn’t seem like he will get the long-term position. Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reports that Philadelphia is anticipated to return to Alex Cora and get him on board.
The Phillies allegedly contacted Cora after he was let go by the Red Sox and asked if he would take over for them. He turned him down, but it seems like things will change when the summer arrives and other organizations try to sign him.
The Mets, their opponents in the National League East, would love to have Cora as their manager, but it isn’t anticipated to happen, Nightingale continued.
Despite the New York Mets’ desire to appoint Alex Cora as their next manager, Cora is still anticipated to sign with the Phillies after turning down their offer to succeed Rob Thomson, who was sacked by the team on April 28. Instead, the Phillies looked to Don Mattingly. When interim manager Andy Green returns to the front office this winter, Hall of Famer Carlos Beltran is the front-runner for the Mets’ opening, according to Nightengale.
Philadelphia recently defeated their rivals in a series, and it appears like they will defeat them once more in the Cora sweepstakes this summer.
Considering some of his ties to the Phillies, namely Dave Dombrowski, it is not all that shocking. Before the 2018 season, when the Red Sox won the World Series, he was in charge of the Boston front office when Cora was appointed manager.
As a Big League manager, Cora has had great success, all of which he has had with Boston. His regular season record is 620-541, while his postseason record is 18-10. But after that first season in charge, the squad never came close to winning another championship.
Given the team’s current situation as a team seeking to win right now, Philadelphia seems like the perfect place for Cora to settle. If a deal is reached to bring him on board, his title expertise will undoubtedly be useful in the dugout.
