Alex Cora’s Next Steps
Alex Cora is looking for some time away. Recently let go as the manager of the Red Sox, he declined an opportunity to take the helm for the Phillies just a few days after his firing, as reported by Jon Heyman from the Post.
The Phillies parted ways with Rob Thomson on Tuesday, creating some space for a fresh start as they find themselves tied for the worst record in MLB at 9-19, alongside the Mets. This puts them in a tough spot as reigning NL East champions.
In the meantime, Don Mattingly will step in as the interim manager.
Cora’s name was floated for the Phillies position after he was unexpectedly dismissed by the Red Sox following a disappointing 10-17 record, leaving them in the cellar of the American League East.
Dave Dombrowski, the seasoned manager and President of Baseball Operations for Philadelphia, previously worked alongside Cora for two seasons in 2018-2019, culminating in a World Series win in Cora’s first year.
Interestingly, the Red Sox let go of Dombrowski after the 2019 season, even though the team had just finished with an 84-78 record, a mere year removed from their championship run.
Thomson seemed to be under pressure heading into the new season after the Phillies faced multiple postseason defeats in a row, especially in the NLDS. There was speculation that Dombrowski might want to reconnect with Cora, who is regarded by many as one of baseball’s top managers.
Despite Dombrowski’s attempts to bring Cora on board, Mattingly now has his shot to steer the team.
At 65, Mattingly brings with him 12 years of managerial experience, having led the Dodgers from 2011 to 2015 and the Marlins from 2016 to 2022. He was at the reins just prior to the Dodgers finally breaking their long-standing World Series drought in 2020, although he made the playoffs only once during his tenure with the Marlins.
His first game as the Phillies’ manager will be Tuesday night against the struggling Giants, with a career record of 446-363 behind him.
How Mattingly performs could sway the decision on whether the Phillies look to bring Cora back in the offseason.
On Tuesday morning, Cora shared a farewell message with Boston fans, seeming to leave out mentions of president of baseball operations Craig Breslow and owner John Henry. He wrote, “Boston, we miss you. Thank you for making us one of you. #RedSoxNation, you are the ❤️ of that team, keep believing, you really care and that’s what drives everyone at @RedSox to work hard all day long,” ending with “With respect and love to AC.”
