Phillies Reportedly Moving On From Don Mattingly Following Playoff Exit

It appears Don Mattingly's time as Philadelphia Phillies manager is going to come to an end.

Following the team's Game 3 loss to the Atlanta Braves, Mattingly was asked in a variety of ways if he would like to return, but he would not take the bait. Players were asked if they wanted their manager back, and while most players said they liked Mattingly and the job he did, he will not be back.

"I want the best for the Phillies," Mattingly said on Thursday night.

One guy who declined to support the manager's return was Bryce Harper, who said: “I don’t want to answer that question.”

Don Mattingly’s Tenure in Philadelphia Comes to a Close

According to USA Today's MLB writer Bob Nightengale, the Phillies will soon announce they are moving on from Mattingly and will offer him an advisory role within the organization.

A Mutual Parting of Ways

Nightengale reports that it will be a mutual parting of ways.

Mattingly went 79-55, taking over for Rob Thomson after a 9-19 start to the season.

Looking Ahead: Is Alex Cora the Top Target?

Reports indicate that the Phillies will again make a play for former Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who managed Boston while Dave Dombrowski ran the Red Sox. At the time of the Thomson firing, reports surfaced that Dombrowski made an offer to Cora to manage the Phillies, which he declined.

Cora was fired in Boston with a record of 10-17, right before the Phillies moved on from Thomson in April. In eight seasons with Boston, Cora went 620-541, winning a World Series in 2018 and leading the Red Sox to three postseason appearances.