New York Mets Jon Heyman Mets manager search could hinge on the Phillies’ World Series chances By Jon Heyman Published Sep. 10, 2026, 7:08 p.m. ET Manager Don Mattingly of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on before the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Monday, August 24, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. Getty Images Mets interim manager Andy Green has the underachieving team finally playing winning baseball, and Green makes sense here as a viable permanent manager. But since indications remain strong club higher-ups like Green so much in the front office that they intend to return him there and conduct a full-fledged managerial search, we need to consider alternatives.
We previously recommended the Mets aim high for managing savant Alex Cora, which might be a long shot for them considering he’ll likely have other attractive options, including the playoff-bound Phillies, which offered him the managing job before elevating interim manager Don Mattingly from his bench-coaching job. But if Phillies baseball president Dave Dombrowski makes good on his original desire to hire Cora, why shouldn’t the Mets then consider Mattingly, who’s doing a superb job in Philly?
Mattingly is reportedly enjoying the job after previous managing stops in L.A. and Miami and would undoubtedly stay in that role for Philly, if asked. It’s also unknown whether he’d consider jumping to the rival Mets should Dombrowski turn again to Cora, his work partner in Boston’s 2018 World Series title. (Just a guess, but the Yankees might be more enticing for Mattingly should they ever have an opening.)
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora is seen in the dugout during the fifth inning of a game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Jason Szenes for the New York Post If Cora is Dombrowski’s choice — and that’s obviously very possible, perhaps especially if the Phillies suffer yet another quick October exit — Mattingly might decline a return to coach there and rather assume a role consulting for Dombrowski. And while Cora may have multiple options, his trust in Dombrowski would weigh heavily after originally declining the job to keep his promise to spend the summer with his daughters and fiancé.
