What in the world is happening in Philly? Former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora just pulled his name out of the running for the Philadelphia Phillies managerial job, and honestly, it feels like déjà vu all over again. This move totally scrambles what seemed like a done deal, leaving Phillies lead executive Dave Dombrowski scrambling for a new skipper.
Cora’s Bye-Bye and the Dombrowski Dilemma
Yeah, what seemed absolutely inevitable is now completely off the table. Cora’s basically taking a mid-career break, saying he’ll spend next season with his family. His contract with the Red Sox runs through next year, and he’s clearly got his sights set on managerial gigs in 2028. Here’s the kicker: Dombrowski actually hired Cora to manage the Red Sox back in the day, and everyone knows they’re tight. Dombrowski even confirmed he contacted Cora back in April after firing Rob Thomson, but Cora passed *then* too. We all thought they’d reunite this offseason, right? Nope. Cora’s taking a full season away from the game, leaving Dombrowski to figure out if he’s sticking with interim manager Don Mattingly or bringing in someone totally new.
Mattingly’s Edge and the Lockout Bomb
Listen, it is a seriously bad offseason to be in the market for a new manager, and here’s why. MLB is almost certainly going to lock out players when the current collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on December 1. When that lockout happens, team personnel can’t have any contact with players. That means no manager. Plus, once the lockout finally ends, we’re probably looking at a truncated spring training, just like in 2022. There won’t be much time for a fresh face to come in and build those crucial relationships with players, which, let’s be real, is like 95% of the job. This is where Don Mattingly, at 65, has a massive advantage. He’s already a known quantity. The relationships are already there. That’s a huge point in his favor, especially since he guided the team to a 79-55 record and a wild-card berth after taking over for Thomson.
Other Names on Dombrowski’s Radar
So, with Cora out, who else is Dombrowski looking at?
* Rocco Baldelli: He’s currently a special assistant in the front office with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Baldelli managed the Minnesota Twins from 2019-25, winning four AL Central titles and taking them to the postseason three times. The 45-year-old even played for the Rays against the Phillies in the 2008 World Series. He’d bring both playing and managerial experience, and he’s got a rep as a super strong communicator in the clubhouse. Modern managers absolutely have to develop strong relationships and keep the clubhouse in order, so that’s a big checkmark for Baldelli.
* David Ross: Rumor has it, Ross is itching to get back into the dugout after the Chicago Cubs let him go three years ago to hire Craig Counsell. He managed Chicago from 2020-23, taking them to the postseason once. The 49-year-old checks
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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