Jon Heyman MLB labor battle throws a wrench in Phillies, Astros manager search By Jon Heyman Published Oct. 5, 2026, 9:07 p.m. ET Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) is in the dugout during the fifth inning of a game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Jason Szenes for the New York Post Although Alex Cora is seen as a favorite for the Phillies manager job due to his great track record and rapport with Phillies boss Dave Dombrowski, it’s not impossible that Cora could decide to take the year off since he’s still being paid (at $7M-plus per year).
Cora, who’s getting married next month, declined this very job over the summer.
Another potential consideration: MLB may be headed for a rough year starting with the Dec. 1 lockout. Managers are disallowed from communicating with players during a lockout.
It’s still also possible the Phillies retain Don Mattingly for 2027. He did go 79-55.
