Phillies expected to name Alex Cora manager after 2026 unless one thing happens originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Philadelphia Phillies fired Rob Thomson early in the 2026 season after a brutal 9-19 start to the year. Don Mattingly took over, and things have turned around since then.
But looking into the future, the Phillies clearly have their sights set on one person to become their manager: Alex Cora. They tried bringing him in after firing Thomson, but the ex-Boston Red Sox manager is holding off until the offseason.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that the Phillies are still expected to name Cora their manager after the 2026 season. That is, unless one thing happens: The Phillies win the World Series.
Phillies expected to hire Alex Cora unless they win the World Series
"Alex 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," Nightengale writes.
The Phillies aren't guaranteed to make the playoffs this season, but if they do, they'll have a realistic chance at winning the World Series.
Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez, and Jesus Luzardo are a fantastic three-man rotation for the postseason, and with Aaron Nola turning it around recently, Jhoan Duran to close games, and the revamped offense, there is some hope.
Of course, it's going to take a lot of things to go right to win it all this season for the Phillies. But it's not out of the question as long as they can make the postseason.
MORE: Phillies receive slightly worrying 65% playoff odds projection from ESPN
It seems, according to Nightengale, that winning the World Series might be the only thing that could stop the Phillies from turning the keys over to Cora this offseason.
Mattingly helping to lead the Phillies to a World Series title would give him plenty of reason to ask for another chance to lead the Phillies in 2027 and beyond.
As much as Dave Dombrowski wants to reunite with Cora, it would be hard to tell the interim manager who just helped you win a World Series to walk.
They could still hire Cora even after a World Series title, but another championship might be the only thing that could give the Phillies any pause about bringing in Cora as the new manager.
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