According to USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski recently spoke with Cora about potentially becoming Philadelphia’s manager in 2027. Cora, however, reportedly told Dombrowski that he plans to sit out the 2027 season and take the summer off.
That decision could force the Phillies to rethink their entire managerial search.
For Dombrowski, this is particularly interesting because Cora is not just another name on a potential candidate list. The two have a history together, and Dombrowski knows firsthand what Cora can bring to a clubhouse and a championship-caliber roster.
But if Cora is genuinely committed to taking 2027 off, there is little the Phillies can do to change his mind.
The bigger question now is simple:
What does Dombrowski do next?
ALEX CORA WAS AN OBVIOUS DAVE DOMBROWSKI TARGET
Cora’s decision is significant because the connection between him and Dombrowski is obvious.
Dombrowski has worked with Cora before, most notably during their time with the Boston Red Sox. That relationship gives Dombrowski a unique understanding of Cora’s managerial style, personality and ability to handle the pressure that comes with managing a major-market team.
Philadelphia is not an easy managerial job.
The expectations are enormous. The fan base expects postseason baseball, and once a team has assembled a roster capable of competing for a championship, simply making the playoffs is no longer enough.
That’s why a manager with Cora’s résumé would have made sense.
He has already managed at the highest level, dealt with intense media scrutiny and experienced what it takes to win a World Series.
Dombrowski knows all of that.
Unfortunately for Philadelphia, familiarity apparently wasn’t enough to convince Cora to return to the dugout in 2027.
THE MATTINGLY QUESTION IS NOW GETTING VERY INTERESTING
If Cora is unavailable, one name that could naturally come back into the conversation is Don Mattingly.
And that possibility deserves serious consideration.
Mattingly already has familiarity with the Phillies organization after serving as Philadelphia’s bench coach under manager Rob Thomson. He understands the clubhouse, knows many of the players and has experience managing in Major League Baseball.
That could make him a logical internal or external option depending on how Dombrowski approaches the search.
But there’s an obvious question:
Would Mattingly even want the job?
That’s something Philadelphia fans shouldn’t assume.
Managing a major-league team is an enormous commitment. The schedule is relentless, the scrutiny is constant and the pressure becomes even greater when expectations are championship-or-bust.
Mattingly has already experienced the demands of managing with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins.
If Philadelphia comes calling, the opportunity could certainly be attractive—but that doesn’t automatically mean Mattingly would say yes.
WHY MATTINGLY COULD MAKE SENSE FOR PHILADELPHIA
From the Phillies’ perspective, Mattingly offers something extremely valuable: continuity.
Philadelphia doesn’t necessarily need a manager who walks into the clubhouse and immediately tries to reinvent everything.
The Phillies already have established stars, veterans and a clubhouse identity.
A manager’s job would be to maximize that talent.
Mattingly’s experience could allow him to step into the role without requiring a lengthy adjustment period.
He also wouldn’t need to spend months learning the personalities of the roster from scratch.
That could become especially important if the Phillies enter 2027 believing their championship window remains wide open.
There is another potential advantage.
If Dombrowski wants a manager who can command respect without creating unnecessary drama, Mattingly could fit that profile.
BUT DAVE DOMBROWSKI SHOULDN’T PANIC
Cora turning down the Phillies isn’t necessarily bad news for Dombrowski.
In fact, it could force the Phillies to take a broader look at the managerial market.
The worst thing Philadelphia could do would be to immediately settle on the first available big name simply because Cora said no.
Dombrowski has built a career on identifying the right baseball people for the situation.
This should be no different.
The Phillies need to determine what they actually want from their next manager.
Do they want an experienced veteran?
Do they want someone who already understands the organization?
Do they want a strong clubhouse communicator?
Or do they want a younger manager capable of bringing a completely different approach to the team?
Those questions should come before the name.
THE PHILLIES’ MANAGERIAL DECISION COULD SHAPE 2027
This isn’t simply about who fills out the lineup card.
Philadelphia’s next manager could have a significant influence on the direction of the franchise.
The Phillies have invested heavily in their roster, and the organization cannot afford to waste seasons during its competitive window.
A managerial change can affect clubhouse chemistry, player development, bullpen usage, defensive strategy and how veterans are handled over a long season.
That’s why Dombrowski’s decision will deserve plenty of attention.
If he chooses Mattingly, the Phillies could be signaling that continuity and familiarity are the priorities.
If he goes outside the organization, it could signal that Philadelphia wants a philosophical reset.
Either approach could work.
The important thing is finding the manager who best matches the roster.
DAVE DOMBROWSKI HAS A BIG DECISION AHEAD
The interesting part of this situation is that Dombrowski now has to move beyond one of his most obvious possibilities.
Cora was reportedly approached.
Cora reportedly said no.
Now what?
That’s where the real intrigue begins.
Dombrowski could revisit candidates who were previously considered. He could explore an entirely different group of managers. Or he could look internally and decide that someone already familiar with the organization deserves the opportunity.
And yes, Mattingly should absolutely be part of that conversation.
Whether he ultimately wants the job is another matter.
MY PREDICTION: DON’T BE SURPRISED IF MATTINGLY GETS A CALL
If Cora is truly committed to sitting out the 2027 season, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dombrowski eventually circles back toward Mattingly.
The familiarity is too obvious to ignore.
Mattingly already knows the organization. He knows the demands of managing in a major market. He understands veteran players and has significant experience running a clubhouse.
Most importantly, he wouldn’t represent a completely unfamiliar experiment.
But I don’t think Philadelphia should assume Mattingly will automatically accept.
That’s the biggest unanswered question.
If he declines, Dombrowski will have to go deeper into the market—and that could ultimately produce a much more surprising hire.
PHILLIES FANS SHOULD WATCH WHAT DAVE DOMBROWSKI DOES NEXT
Alex Cora saying no doesn’t end Philadelphia’s managerial search.
It may actually make it more interesting.
Cora was an attractive possibility because of his championship experience and his relationship with Dombrowski. But if he’s taking 2027 away from baseball, the Phillies have to respect that decision and move forward.
Now the spotlight shifts to Dombrowski.
Does he call Mattingly?
Does Mattingly even want the job?
Or does Dombrowski have another name quietly waiting in the background?
Those questions could define one of the Phillies’ most important offseason decisions.
For now, one thing appears clear: Alex Cora won’t be the man leading Philadelphia in 2027, and Dave Dombrowski has another major decision to make.
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