After Cora and Thomson Firings, Which Clubs Might Bid Farewell to Manager Next?

Eric Canha-Imagn Images The beginning of the MLB season is the most treacherous time for managers. If teams underperform early, it can signal a need for change (though there may not really be one in the first place). Often it seems better to weather the storm and wait for sunny days.

That can be difficult for front offices to do when they feel the pressure of a fanbase hurting for a win. In the last week, that’s been the case for two of MLB’s most respected managers. Alex Cora of the Boston Red Sox and Rob Thomson of the Philadelphia Phillies were let go this week as part of a restructuring for both teams.

The Sox (12-17) and the Phillies (10-19) have been off to a miserable start to the 2026 season. The front offices of each decided a change needed to be made, and so they did. Chad Tracy, the former manager of Triple-A Worcester, stepped in as the interim manager for Boston and former bench coach Don Mattingly did so for Philly.

Each has been off to a good start, though whether that’s actually due to their presence remains iffy. But the recent firings stir the pot for other clubs even more. Struggling teams may see that other clubs have let go of their managers and do likewise in order to attempt to improve.