MLB trade rumors: Alex Cora linked to Phillies as pressure grows on manager Rob Thomson

The Boston Red Sox made one of the biggest early season moves in Major League Baseball by firing manager Alex Cora after a disappointing 10-17 start. Even though Boston had just beaten the Baltimore Orioles 17-1, the front office decided it was time for a major change. Along with Cora, several coaches were also let go as the club tried to reset its season.

Now, attention has quickly shifted to the Philadelphia Phillies. USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale believes Cora may not stay without a job for long and says Philadelphia could be the team to watch. The Phillies are also struggling badly and recently snapped a 10-game losing streak with an 8-5 win over the Atlanta Braves. That has increased pressure on manager Rob Thomson and opened the door for fresh rumors. Reuters also confirmed Boston’s move and reported that Triple A manager Chad Tracy is now the Red Sox’s interim manager.

Alex Cora and Rob Thomson rumors grow as Bob Nightengale links former Red Sox manager to Phillies

Bob Nightengale explained in his USA Today column that the connection between Cora and Philadelphia is not random. He pointed to Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, who worked closely with Cora during their time together in Boston.

Nightengale wrote, “If Cora had not signed his three-year, $21.75 million contract extension last summer, Cora likely would have been managing the Phillies at the start of this season.”

That comment quickly made fans wonder if Philadelphia could make a fast move. ESPN insider Buster Olney also shared a similar thought on the Baseball Tonight podcast, saying the Phillies should at least consider bringing Cora in if their struggles continue.

Philadelphia entered the weekend stuck in a difficult run, with losses piling up and frustration growing. Even after beating Atlanta, questions around Rob Thomson have not fully gone away. The Phillies are sitting at the bottom of their division, and the pressure is rising with every game.

Nightengale added, “Now that Cora, 50, is available, the Phillies must quickly decide whether they want to remain patient with Thomson, wait until the end of the season to determine whether they want to pivot to Cora, or do they make a move now.”

For now, nothing is official. Rob Thomson is still the Phillies manager, and Cora has only just left Boston. But in baseball, things can change very quickly. With both teams sitting last in their divisions, this story may only be getting started.



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