A World Series title might be the only thing standing between interim manager Don Mattingly and a permanent spot with the Philadelphia Phillies. It sounds wild, right? But reports suggest the Phillies have already set their sights on Alex Cora to take over after the 2026 season, with one huge caveat: a championship run.
The Managerial Merry-Go-Round
Things kicked off in 2026 with a brutal start for the Phillies. They canned Rob Thomson early in the season after an ugly 9-19 record. Don Mattingly stepped in as interim manager, and to his credit, the team has turned things around since he took the reins. But even with that shift, the Phillies front office, led by Dave Dombrowski, has been eyeing a specific name for the long term: Alex Cora. They even tried to bring in the ex-Boston Red Sox manager right after firing Thomson, but Cora decided to hold off until the offseason.
The World Series Wild Card
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale dropped the news that Cora is still expected to be named the Phillies’ manager after this season. The kicker? That plan goes out the window if the Phillies win the World Series. Nightengale explicitly states that Cora, “who turned down the job when Rob Thomson was fired, is expected to be the Phillies’ manager next year barring a World Series berth or title.” Now, making the postseason isn’t a guaranteed thing , ESPN even pegged their playoff odds at a slightly worrying 65 percent. But if they claw their way in, they absolutely have a realistic shot at going all the way. Think about that three-man rotation of Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez, and Jesus Luzardo for the postseason. Add Aaron Nola, who’s been turning it around lately, Jhoan Duran closing games, and a revamped offense, and you’ve got some serious firepower. It will take a lot to go right, but a title is not out of the question if they get to October.
Dombrowski’s Dilemma
This is where it gets spicy. Dave Dombrowski clearly wants to reunite with Cora. But if Mattingly manages to lead this squad to a World Series title? Well, that changes everything. It would give Mattingly a huge reason to ask for another chance to lead the team in 2027 and beyond. It would be incredibly tough for Dombrowski to tell an interim manager who just delivered a championship to pack his bags. While hiring Cora might still be on the table even after a World Series win, it seems a championship might be the only thing that would make the Phillies’ brass actually pause before handing the keys over to Cora this offseason.
So, as the season progresses, every win and loss for the Phillies isn’t just about their playoff hopes, it’s about the future of their dugout. Can Mattingly shock the world and force the Phillies to rethink their master plan? Or will Cora be warming up the manager’s office for 2027? Get ready, because this is going to be a wild finish for Philly baseball.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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