Alex Cora has declined the opportunity to manage the Philadelphia Phillies for the second time in less than six months, informing the club he plans to take the 2027 season off. According to USA Today Sports, Cora recently spoke with Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski about the managerial position, but turned down the offer despite being linked to the job since his firing by the Boston Red Sox earlier this year. Cora, still owed over $7 million from the Red Sox for the final year of his three-year, $21.75 million deal, previously turned down the role in late April when the Phillies were 9-19.
He cited a desire to spend time with his family. The Phillies pivoted to bench coach Don Mattingly, who guided the team to a 79-55 record over the final five months and a postseason berth as the NL's third wild card. Philadelphia was eliminated by the Atlanta Braves in the NL Wild Card Series.
Mattingly, under contract through 2027, deflected questions about his future, stating, "It's not the time to talk about it." Cora and Dombrowski previously worked together in Boston from 2015 to 2019, highlighted by the Red Sox' 2018 World Series win. Dombrowski praised Cora's managerial acumen in April, comparing him to Hall of Famers. Cora went 620-541 in seven-plus seasons with Boston, guiding them to three postseason appearances.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing