Alex Cora emerges as frontrunner for Phillies manager job

Alex Cora is the frontrunner to become the Philadelphia Phillies' next manager, with interim manager Don Mattingly expected to step down. The team has not officially begun a search, but Cora was previously offered the job. Cora has a close relationship with Phillies president Dave Dombrowski from their time winning the 2018 World Series with the Boston Red Sox. Mattingly led a strong turnaround, going 79-55 after taking over a 9-19 team, before the Phillies lost in the wild-card round. The situation is unusual because the favorite is already known before any formal process has started. A reunion between Cora and Dombrowski appears mutually beneficial, though the Phillies may still conduct a broader managerial search.