Alex Cora to the Phillies is “Practically a Done Deal”: What That Means for Don Mattingly

Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly is dropping a bombshell that’s got the baseball world buzzing: he believes Alex Cora to the Philadelphia Phillies as their 2027 manager is “practically a done deal.” This news hits hard especially for Don Mattingly, who took over as interim manager in April 2026 after the NL East club fired Rob Thomson. Mattingly has been open about wanting to remove that interim tag and stay with the Phillies beyond 2026.

The Dombrowski-Cora Connection Runs Deep

This isn’t just some random rumor, folks. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has made his admiration for Cora crystal clear. Back in April, Dombrowski actually admitted the organization tried to hire Cora right after he was fired as the Boston Red Sox manager. And when Dombrowski talks about Cora, he doesn’t hold back. He said, “I think Alex Cora is one of the finest managers in the game of baseball.” He even put Cora in the same league as Hall of Famers like Tony La Russa and Jim Leyland, saying, “I think if Alex Cora decides to keep managing, he has a chance to be in that same category; that’s how good he is.” Those are some seriously high praises!

Mattingly’s Challenge for 2027

If Cora is truly Dombrowski’s main target, Mattingly might be in a tough spot. Tim Kelly from Bleacher Report is convinced this reunion is happening, writing, “Dombrowski and Cora were together in Boston when the Red Sox won the 2018 World Series, and it would seem to be a good bet the duo will be reunited in Philly next season.” It looks like the Phillies might offer Mattingly another role in the organization if he wants to stay, but the manager’s chair could be spoken for.

So, what’s next for Mattingly? Can he change Dombrowski’s mind? Time will absolutely tell if Mattingly leading the Phillies to a World Series title this year would shift the dynamic, but for now, the buzz is all about Cora.

This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.

Originally reported by The Sporting News.