Overview
- Alex Cora informed the Phillies that he plans to take the 2027 season off, a development first reported by USA TODAY and confirmed by multiple outlets on Wednesday.
- Dombrowski had offered Cora the job in April after Boston fired him but was turned down then, which led the Phillies to name Don Mattingly interim manager for the rest of 2026.
- Don Mattingly guided the team to a 79-55 record after taking over and remains under contract with the Phillies through 2027 as the club’s bench coach, making him the simplest internal option.
- Reports say Cora’s choice is rooted in family and personal reasons and that he is still owed about $7.25 million by the Red Sox for 2027, a factor that reduces his short‑term financial incentive to return.
- With Cora unavailable, the Phillies must decide quickly whether to remove Mattingly’s interim tag or conduct a broader search, a choice complicated by contract timing and a likely offseason work stoppage that could limit any new manager’s ability to meet the players before spring training.