It doesn’t seem like Alex Cora will be managing a major league team in 2026. According to Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe, the former Red Sox manager plans to spend time with his young sons in Puerto Rico rather than immediately return to the dugout. Chris Cotillo of MassLive echoed that sentiment this morning, noting that Cora is currently focused on his family.
Despite being fired by the Red Sox on Saturday, the 2018 World Series champion could have found a new job within hours. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported this morning that the Phillies offered their managerial position to Cora before naming Don Mattingly as interim manager for the remainder of 2026. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski essentially confirmed that in an afternoon press conference.
Dombrowski stopped short of saying a formal contract was offered, but he acknowledged the job would have been Cora’s if he wanted it. Dombrowski told reporters, including MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, that he discussed the role with Cora on Sunday morning less than 24 hours after Boston’s managerial change.
“We talked about potentially taking the job. I told him I had already concluded that if he accepted, I would make a change. I thought he might take it, but as time went on into Monday morning, it became clear he wanted to prioritize time with his family,” Dombrowski said.
Cora and Dombrowski share a strong bond from their time together with the Red Sox, overlapping in 2018-19 and winning that championship in the first year. Boston parted ways with Dombrowski after a disappointing 2019 season, then fired Cora months later when his involvement in the Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scandal came to light. After serving a one-year suspension, Cora was rehired by the Red Sox following the 2020 season.
That second stint lasted more than five seasons and made him one of MLB’s highest-paid managers. Cora’s most recent extension runs through 2027, reportedly paying him $7.25 million annually. The Red Sox remain responsible for that money if Cora does not take another managerial job in the meantime.
If another team hires him before his Boston deal expires, his new salary would offset what the Red Sox owe. However, Feinsand reports that any hiring team must pay Cora “fair market value” for a manager at least a few million dollars rather than signing him for next to nothing and leaving Boston to cover the entire sum. That point would be moot if Cora also decides not to pursue managerial jobs in 2027.
Cora’s discussion with Dombrowski about a possible Phillies reunion occurred before the team announced they were firing Rob Thomson. Dombrowski felt a change was needed and went through with the dismissal even after Cora declined. The Phillies informed Thomson of the decision on Tuesday morning, roughly two hours before the formal announcement, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic.
Thomson also spoke with reporters on Tuesday, saying he had no issue with Dombrowski talking to Cora while he was still manager. “I think Dave’s just doing his due diligence,” Thomson said, via Gelb. “He had made up his mind and was going to move forward. … Dave and I have a close relationship, but that doesn’t prevent him from doing what’s right for the organization. I respect that.” The former skipper spoke highly of the team and said he would “seriously entertain” an advisory role down the line if the Phillies offered it, according to Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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