Torre in Talks to Extend Contract

Joe Torre is in talks with the Dodger management to extend his three-year deal into 2011.  Extension talks further complicate the situation of hitting coach Don Mattingly.  Mattingly interviewed for the managerial job at Cleveland before losing out to Manny Acta.  While the former first-baseman is considered to be the heir-apparent, an extended wait to inherit the position of manager could send him into the arms of another team, though when asked by T.J. Simers of the LA Times about the situation, Mattingly expressed his desire to stay with the club.

Torre previously managed the New York Yankees for 12 seasons, taking the Bronx Bombers to the playoffs all 12 times, to the ALCS seven times, and the World Series six times.  However, controversy surrounded his departure, as the Yankee front office wanted to resign Torre to only a year in order to keep him on a short leash.  He signed with Los Angeles for a three-year, $13 million contract, and has led LA to the playoffs twice, with the postseason ending at the hands of Philadelphia in the NLCS both times.