The Philadelphia Phillies are officially back to the drawing board.
After making Alex Cora one of their top managerial targets, the Phillies have once again been left searching for another option after the veteran manager reportedly turned down the opportunity to take over in Philadelphia.
For president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, the situation is particularly significant. Cora had been viewed as a preferred candidate after his departure from the Boston Red Sox, but Philadelphia has now been unable to land him twice.
The Phillies initially had an opportunity to pursue Cora earlier in the year but ultimately moved forward with Don Mattingly. With the organization now looking for another managerial solution, Dombrowski will have to broaden his search.
The good news is that the Phillies should have plenty of choices.
A large number of experienced managers and coaches could potentially be available, while Philadelphia also has several familiar names already inside the organization. Following another disappointing postseason outcome and years of declining playoff results, however, the Phillies may decide that simply promoting from within isn’t enough.
The next manager could therefore be asked to bring a different voice, a different clubhouse personality and potentially a different philosophy to a veteran roster that has struggled to turn regular-season success into sustained postseason results.
Here are 11 candidates worth considering.
Fan Favorites
1. Raúl Ibañez
If the Phillies want a candidate who could immediately connect with the fanbase, Raúl Ibañez would be one of the most intriguing possibilities.
The former Phillies outfielder has remained involved in baseball since his playing days and currently works for the Los Angeles Dodgers as vice president of baseball development and special projects.
Ibañez has been mentioned in managerial discussions for several years, and at 54, he could potentially decide that the time has finally come to pursue a dugout job.
His familiarity with Philadelphia would also be a major selling point. Ibañez was a popular figure during his playing career with the Phillies, and his return would undoubtedly generate significant excitement among fans.
The question is whether he is ready to make the jump from the front office into the pressure cooker of managing a Major League club.
2. Chase Utley
Few names could generate more excitement around Philadelphia than Chase Utley.
The former Phillies second baseman remains one of the most beloved players in franchise history and has continued to maintain ties to the organization and the game. He currently works as a special assistant with the Dodgers and lives in Los Angeles.
That makes a Philadelphia return highly unlikely, but it isn’t impossible.
Utley was recently added to the Phillies Wall of Fame, further strengthening his connection with the organization. If he ever decides that managing is something he wants to pursue, the Dodgers would presumably be a natural destination given his current relationship with the club.
Still, if Philadelphia wanted to make a dramatic move and bring back one of its most recognizable stars, Utley would certainly capture the attention of the fanbase.
The Experienced Veterans
3. Bruce Bochy
If the Phillies decide they need a manager with a proven postseason résumé, Bruce Bochy would be difficult to overlook.
The 71-year-old is a four-time World Series champion and has accumulated an impressive postseason record throughout his managerial career.
Bochy has won 57 playoff games since 1995 and owns a .606 postseason winning percentage. More importantly, he has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to guide veteran teams through the pressure and unpredictability of October baseball.
That experience could be precisely what Philadelphia needs.
The Phillies have had plenty of regular-season success in recent years, but their inability to finish the job in the postseason has become an increasingly frustrating storyline. Bringing in someone with Bochy’s championship résumé could represent a clear attempt to change that.
4. Joe Maddon
Another experienced manager who could bring a championship pedigree to Philadelphia is Joe Maddon.
Maddon famously managed the Tampa Bay Rays against the Phillies during the 2008 World Series before eventually guiding the Chicago Cubs to their historic championship in 2016.
That title ended Chicago’s lengthy World Series drought and cemented Maddon’s reputation as a manager capable of handling enormous pressure.
At 72, Maddon would represent another experienced, old-school option. He was also born in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, meaning a move to Philadelphia would bring him relatively close to home.
For a Phillies organization looking for a manager capable of navigating a high-pressure clubhouse and postseason expectations, Maddon would be an intriguing possibility.
5. Buck Showalter
Buck Showalter brings something else the Phillies may value: intensity.
The 70-year-old has managed for more than two decades, most recently with the New York Mets. Although he has never won a pennant or World Series during his lengthy managerial career, Showalter has developed a reputation as a demanding and fiery baseball mind.
Philadelphia has not had many managers with that type of personality since the Charlie Manuel era.
Whether Showalter’s approach would mesh with the Phillies’ veteran clubhouse is another question, but his experience and willingness to challenge players could make him an interesting candidate.
6. Ron Washington
Ron Washington would offer the Phillies perhaps the strongest defensive résumé among the veteran candidates.
At 74, Washington is the oldest name on this list, but unlike some of the other experienced managers, he remains active in a Major League coaching role.
Washington currently serves as an infield coach with the San Francisco Giants, where he continues to bring decades of defensive expertise to the field.
That could be especially attractive to Philadelphia.
Defensive consistency has been an issue for the Phillies at different points in recent seasons, and Washington’s reputation as an instructor could provide an immediate change in emphasis.
Internal Candidates
7. Howie Kendrick
Howie Kendrick could provide the Phillies with a familiar face while also bringing decades of Major League experience into the manager’s office.
Kendrick has been part of the Phillies organization since 2021 as a special assistant and has maintained a noticeable presence around the team.
He is widely respected throughout baseball and has extensive experience playing the game at the highest level.
Kendrick would also bring a connection to Philadelphia’s recent championship era and a reputation for delivering in important postseason moments.
If the Phillies want an internal candidate who can provide a younger voice while maintaining continuity with the organization, Kendrick could be an intriguing option.
8. Caleb Cotham
Caleb Cotham may be one of the most respected coaches currently on the Phillies’ staff.
Cotham has served as Philadelphia’s pitching coach since 2020 and has received considerable credit for helping improve the careers of several Phillies pitchers, including Jeff Hoffman and Zack Wheeler.
Promoting him to manager would be a major change, however.
Historically, the transition from pitching coach to Major League manager has not produced a long list of successful examples. Still, there are exceptions, most notably John Farrell, who went from pitching coach to leading the Boston Red Sox to a World Series championship in 2013.
If the Phillies believe Cotham’s leadership extends beyond pitching, his familiarity with the roster could make him a serious internal option.
9. Dusty Wathan
Dusty Wathan might not have the same name recognition as some of the other candidates, but his résumé within the Phillies organization deserves attention.
Before becoming a Major League coach, Wathan established himself as the winningest manager in Phillies minor-league history.
That doesn’t automatically guarantee success at the Major League level, but it does demonstrate that he has considerable managerial experience.
Wathan has also been around the organization through several different phases, giving him a detailed understanding of the players, culture and expectations in Philadelphia.
However, there is a potential complication.
Whoever takes over as manager will likely want to bring in his own coaching staff, which could put Wathan’s future with the organization in question if he isn’t promoted.
Younger Managers Looking for a Fresh Start
10. Brandon Hyde
Brandon Hyde represents the type of younger managerial candidate who could provide Philadelphia with a long-term solution.
Hyde guided the Baltimore Orioles through a major rebuilding period and helped turn the organization into a competitive club. However, his tenure ultimately ended after Baltimore struggled to translate its regular-season success into postseason victories.
The Orioles failed to win a playoff game in consecutive appearances, getting swept by the Texas Rangers in 2023 and the Kansas City Royals in 2024.
Hyde has been out of a managerial job since 2025, but there is an argument that Baltimore’s struggles were influenced heavily by decisions involving the front office and player development rather than solely by the manager.
At 53, Hyde would also be young enough to potentially become a long-term answer for Philadelphia.
11. Rocco Baldelli
Rocco Baldelli is another younger manager who could benefit from a change of scenery.
The 45-year-old spent seven seasons managing the Minnesota Twins. Although his tenure was ultimately viewed as underwhelming, Baldelli faced significant roster challenges during his time in Minnesota.
The Twins made several major roster decisions, including trading away key players, and one of those deals sent Jhoan Duran to Philadelphia in 2025.
That context makes Baldelli an interesting potential reclamation candidate.
At just 45, he could potentially offer the Phillies a modern approach while also having enough managerial experience to understand the demands of a Major League clubhouse.
The Phillies Have a Major Decision Ahead
Philadelphia’s search for a manager is now much more open following Cora’s decision to pass on the opportunity.
Dombrowski has several different directions he could take.
The Phillies could pursue an experienced championship manager such as Bochy or Maddon. They could choose a fiery veteran like Showalter or Washington. They could roll the dice on a popular former Phillie such as Ibañez or potentially Utley. Or they could remain within the organization and promote someone like Kendrick, Cotham or Wathan.
Then there are younger candidates such as Hyde and Baldelli, both of whom could potentially offer the organization a fresh start.
Ultimately, the decision may come down to what Dombrowski believes the Phillies need most.
Do they need a proven postseason winner who can immediately command a veteran clubhouse? A familiar face who understands Philadelphia? Or a younger manager capable of establishing a new direction for a team that has experienced several years of playoff disappointment?
With Cora no longer an option, the Phillies now have to find an answer — and their choice could have a major impact on the next chapter of the franchise.
Leave a Reply