Alex Cora has informed the Philadelphia Phillies that he will take the 2027 Major League Baseball season off, declining the team’s managerial opening for the second time this year and leaving the franchise to weigh its options following Don Mattingly’s interim tenure.
Phillies Face Setback As Cora Takes 2027 Off
Philadelphia president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski targeted Alex Cora immediately after dismissing Rob Thomson following a sluggish 9-19 start on April 28 according to a high-ranking Phillies executive. Dombrowski and Cora previously worked together in Boston, leading the Red Sox to a World Series championship in 2018. When Boston fired Cora on April 25, Dombrowski reached out right away before Thomson had even been relieved of his duties.
Cora turned down the initial overture in April, explaining to The New York Post that he wanted to spend the summer with his family in his native Puerto Rico. With the Red Sox owing him roughly $7.25 million for the final year of a three-year, $21.75 million contract in 2027, Cora faced no immediate financial pressure to jump back into a dugout as USA TODAY Sports reported. When Dombrowski tried again this autumn, Cora reiterated his plan to step away from managing for the upcoming season.
During his tenure with Boston, Cora accumulated a 620-541 career record while making three postseason appearances and capturing an AL East division title in 2018. His 620 victories rank third in franchise history, and he holds an 18-10 record in the postseason. His managerial resume also includes a suspension for his involvement in the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal during the 2017 season when he served as the team’s bench coach.
Mattingly Guides Philadelphia After Spring Rejection
With Cora unavailable in the spring, the Phillies turned to bench coach Don Mattingly to take over on an interim basis. The 65-year-old manager steadied the clubhouse and steered Philadelphia through a demanding schedule, posting a 79-55 record—good for a .590 winning percentage—over the remainder of the regular season as Sports Illustrated noted. The strong push secured the franchise’s fifth consecutive playoff berth despite a late 9-14 stumble.
The Phillies bowed out in the National League Wild Card Series, losing in three games to the Atlanta Braves. John Middleton acknowledged the team’s climb but left the final call entirely to his baseball operations president, noting that the club would have reached 95 victories under Mattingly if he had managed the entire campaign.
Veterans Back Mattingly Following Elimination
Several veteran players voiced strong approval for Mattingly’s steady hand during a tumultuous year marked by early coaching changes and roster inconsistency.
“I liked him a lot. I just felt like he was just calm, man. He was easy to talk to, talked to him about anything hitting (related). … If he needed to let you know something was wrong, he’d let you know.”
Trea Turner, via Sports Illustrated
Catcher J.T. Realmuto also endorsed Mattingly’s leadership when addressing reporters after the team’s elimination. Bryce Harper declined to weigh in on whether Mattingly should return for 2027.
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