True Blue LA - Dodgers sign Don Mattingly to contract extension through 2016Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2014-01-08T18:38:46-08:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/50495672014-01-08T18:38:46-08:002014-01-08T18:38:46-08:00Mattingly, Colletti on Mattingly's extension
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<figcaption>Dustin Bradford</figcaption>
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<p>Mattingly got what he wanted, and wished he hadn't made public his desire for a multi-year deal in the first place.</p> <p>LOS ANGELES -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> made official on Wednesday a three-year contract for manager Don Mattingly through the 2016 season, ending the lame duck status Mattingly made clear in October that he didn't want to go through again like he did in 2013.</p>
<p>"I'm having to talk about things that don't have to do with us winning games," Mattingly said on Wednesday. "That, to me, complicates the whole mess."</p>
<p>Mattingly's 2014 option vested by reaching the National League Championship Series, but this new three-year deal replaces that. There are no options at the end of the deal.</p>
<p>Mattingly with his new contract will reportedly make more than the $1.4 million he was scheduled to receive in 2014, per <a target="_blank" href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BBN_DODGERS_MATTINGLY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT">Beth Harris of the Associated Press</a>.</p>
<p>The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/21/4863274/don-mattingly-dodgers-manager-contract">press conference back on Oct. 21 at Dodger Stadium</a> with Mattingly and general manager Ned Colletti was pretty awkward, with Mattingly letting off steam about his status, less than three days after the Dodgers were eliminated from the playoffs in St. Louis.</p>
<p>"When you're put in this position, the organization basically says we don't know if you can manage or not. That's not a great position to be in as manager," Mattingly said in October.</p>
<p>On Wednesday, Mattingly said he wished he would have handled the matter internally within the organization rather than with tape recorders and cameras running. But Colletti understood Mattingly's frustration.</p>
<p>"That day really came upon us in a rapid way at the end of our season. I think you'd have to live that experience to fully understand what that day is like and what the 48 hours prior are like, and the six, seven months prior to that," Colletti said. "I don't think anybody felt any differently from before that, after that, to today. It was always in our plans to do what we're announcing today, organizationally. It just took time to get it done the right way."</p>
<p>Colletti said that with the daily grind of the baseball season, and with the Dodgers extending their season well into October, there wasn't much time to discuss specifics of a new contract with Mattingly.</p>
<p>"We hadn't have a lot of time to focus and deal directly with that. That was coming," Colletti said. "Every day's focus becomes what comes next on the baseball field. It's a very dedicated and disciplined approach. The longer we played, the more involved we do get in preparation. ... That, as it should, took precedent over a lot of different things."</p>
<p>Even after the season, the contract talks moved slowly, but Colletti said that was by design as the club worked on roster moves first, with both he and Mattingly on the same page.</p>
<p>"We had other things to do as well. He knew where we were at, and we knew where he was it. As long as he knew that and we knew that, we didn't see a rush to do it," Colletti said. "We were probably done three weeks ago, with just some fine tuning."</p>
<p>As for other potential contract extensions, Colletti said he has talked to the agents for both <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> (Casey Close) and <span>Hanley Ramirez</span> (Adam Katz) but wouldn't elaborate.</p>
<p>But for now the extension for the manager is done, and everyone seems happy. Especially Mattingly, who played for 10 managers in his 14 seasons and values stability in the role.</p>
<p>"Just knowing the organization has confidence in me is important to me as a manager. You have to build respect personally with guys, and how you treat them is how you truly gain respect," Mattingly said. "But when the upper management shows you that respect, it sends the message to the players also that they trust and believe in him, and I think that makes your job easier."</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/8/5290026/don-mattingly-contract-extension-ned-collettiEric Stephen2014-01-07T13:20:37-08:002014-01-07T13:20:37-08:00Dodgers sign Mattingly through 2016
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<p>One contract extension down for the Dodgers, two to go.</p> <p>No more lame duck status for Don Mattingly. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> have reportedly agreed to a new contract with their manager, signing him through 2016, reported by <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/10258959/don-mattingly-receive-contract-extension-los-angeles-dodgers">Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/dylanohernandez/status/420658624742969345">confirmed</a> by <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/420657395137015809">several</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/kengurnick/status/420660372459110400">others</a>.</p>
<p>The two sides <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/6/5279990/don-mattingly-contract-extension-dodgers">were said to be "making progress" toward a deal on Monday</a>.</p>
<p>The Dodgers have yet to make any official announcement, but there is media availability on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium for <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/4/5273610/dodgers-winter-development-program-2014-joc-pederson-zach-lee">the winter development program</a>, and Mattingly will be there.</p>
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<p>Mattingly was under contract already for 2014, as his option vested by advancing to the 2013 National League Championship Series. The money of the new contract hasn't yet been reported, but Mattingly was to earn $1.4 million in 2014 under his old deal.</p>
<p>Mattingly, 52, is 260-225 (.536) with one division title in three seasons in Los Angeles and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/11/12/5097472/don-mattingly-manager-of-the-year-second-place-contract-talks-dodgers">finished second in National League Manager of the Year voting in 2013</a>.</p>
<p>Mattingly will return with his coaching staff nearly fully intact. The only changes are Tim Wallach moving from third base coach to bench coach replacing Trey Hillman, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/22/4866682/trey-hillman-fired-dodgers">whose 2014 option wasn't exercised</a>; and former Triple-A Albuquerque manager Lorenzo Bundy joining the major league staff as third base coach.</p>
<p>If Mattingly lasts the entire length of his new contract, he will rank sixth in Dodgers history in games managed, behind Walt Alston (3,658 games), Tommy Lasorda (3,040), Wilbert Robinson (2,736), Leo Durocher (1,318) and Ned Hanlon (1,018).</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/7/5285340/don-mattingly-contract-dodgers-2016Eric Stephen2014-01-06T09:47:03-08:002014-01-06T09:47:03-08:00Mattingly, Dodgers 'making progress' on contract
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<p>The Dodgers manager is already under contract for 2014, but is working on an extension to keep him for longer than one more season.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> and manager Don Mattingly are 'making progress' toward contract extension, per both <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/420227580328177664">Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-don-mattingly-dodgers-contract-20140106,0,702361.story?track=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&dlvrit=1115922#axzz2pdp00pjg">Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times</a>, moving closer to the end of a bizarre offseason chapter for the team.</p>
<p>Mattingly had his 2014 option, worth $1.4 million, vest once the Dodgers beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> in the 2013 NLDS, but in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/21/4863274/don-mattingly-dodgers-manager-contract">an awkward news conference at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 21</a>, sitting next to general manager Ned Colletti, Mattingly said just because his option vested didn't mean he'd be back. After dealing with questions about his status for most of 2013, Mattingly didn't want lame duck status for a second year in a row.</p>
<p>"This has been a frustrating tough year, honestly. I think when you come in with a club like this, basically as a lame duck, with payroll and the guys that you have, it puts you in a tough spot in the clubhouse. We dealt with that all year long, and it puts me in a spot where everything I do is questioned. I'm basically trying out or auditioning," Mattingly said. "To me we've reached that point, three years in you either know or you don't."</p>
<p>However, as the offseason progressed Mattingly said he would honor his contract in 2014, and that the two sides were working toward a contract extension.</p>
<p>Mattingly, who turns 53 in April, is 260-225 (.536) with one division title in three seasons as Dodgers manager. His 2013 was a turbulent season, close to being fired as the Dodgers stumbled to a 30-42 start, but a 53-13 (.803) run over the next 10 weeks put the Dodgers firmly in control in the National League West.</p>
<p>After winning the division, Mattingly <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/11/12/5097472/don-mattingly-manager-of-the-year-second-place-contract-talks-dodgers">finished second in National League Manager of the Year voting</a>.</p>
<p>Mattingly will return with his coaching staff nearly fully intact. The only changes are Tim Wallach moving from third base coach to bench coach replacing Trey Hillman, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/22/4866682/trey-hillman-fired-dodgers">whose 2014 option wasn't exercised</a>; and former Triple-A Albuquerque manager Lorenzo Bundy joining the major league staff as third base coach.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/1/6/5279990/don-mattingly-contract-extension-dodgersEric Stephen2013-11-11T10:26:17-08:002013-11-11T10:26:17-08:00Wallach bench coach, Bundy now third base coach
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<figcaption>Jeff Golden</figcaption>
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<p>Assistant hitting coach John Valentin, assistant pitching coach Ken Howell and bullpen coach Chuck Crim signed new contracts for 2014, giving the Dodgers seven of eight major league coaches returning in 2014.</p> <p>LOS ANGELES -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> finalized their 2014 coaching staff on Monday, and Don Mattingly's new bench coach is a familiar face. Tim Wallach moves a few feet from the third base coaches box to the dugout as the new bench coach, and Triple-A manager Lorenzo Bundy joins the major league staff as the new third base coach.</p>
<p>Seven of the eight major league coaches from the 2013 staff will return, with assistant hitting coach John Valentin, assistant pitching coach Ken Howell and bullpen coach Chuck Crim signing new contracts for 2014 in recent days. Wallach was one of three coaches to have their 2014 club options exercised on Oct. 22, along with first base coach Davey Lopes and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt. Hitting coach Mark McGwire was already under contract for 2014.</p>
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<b>More</b>: <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/22/4899990/dodgers-2014-options-rick-honeycutt-tim-wallach-davey-lopes" target="new">Wallach, Honeycutt, Lopes options exercised</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/22/4866682/trey-hillman-fired-dodgers" target="new">Hillman won't be back</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/11/2/5060202/brad-ausmus-tigers-manager-tim-wallach" target="new">Ausmus in Detoit</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/11/5/5071508/tim-wallach-mariners-manager-dodgers-bench-coach" target="new">McClendon in Seattle</a>
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<p>Former bench coach Trey Hillman had his 2014 option declined.</p>
<p>Wallach received permission from the Dodgers to interview for vacant managerial positions with both the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a>, but he lost out to <span>Brad Ausmus</span> and Lloyd McClendon, respectively.</p>
<p>Bundy joins the Dodgers after three years managing the Isotopes, which included an Pacific Coast League American South Division title in 2012. Bundy last served on a major league staff as first base coach for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> in 2009.</p>
<p>Between Bundy, who also managed in Las Vegas in 2007-2008, and Wallach, who managed the Isotopes in 2009-2010, the Dodgers have the managers of their last seven years in Triple-A on the major league staff. Fifteen of the 32 players currently on the 40-man roster have played for Bundy and/or Wallach in Triple-A.</p>
<p>Both Steve Yeager and Manny Mota will coach for the Dodgers during spring training and throughout the year, though during the regular season will not be in uniform during games.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/11/11/5091538/tim-wallach-bench-coach-dodgers-lorenzo-bundy-third-base-coachEric Stephen2013-11-07T19:30:02-08:002013-11-07T19:30:02-08:00Mattingly, Dodgers talking contract extension
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<figcaption>Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Catching up on Dodgers news of the last few days, including contract thoughts for Mattingly, Clayton Kershaw, Ricky Nolasco, plus much more.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> have talked with Don Mattingly about extending his contract beyond the 2014 season, per reports from both <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/9938775/don-mattingly-los-angeles-dodgers-discussing-new-contract">Ramona Shelburne of ESPN LA</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/la/manager-don-mattingly-and-dodgers-in-talks-for-multiyear-deal?ymd=20131107&content_id=63747206&vkey=news_la">Ken Gurnick of MLB.com</a>.</p>
<p>"No deal is imminent, but there is optimism on both sides that a new deal will be completed," wrote Shelburne.</p>
<p>Mattingly's club option for 2014 vested when the Dodgers beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> in the NLDS, but he <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/21/4863274/don-mattingly-dodgers-manager-contract">vented at the season ending press conference at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 21</a> about his lame duck status, something that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/23/4959212/don-mattingly-lame-duck-managers-dodgers">is quite rare for a manager to go through two years in a row</a>.</p>
<p>Gurnick clarified a bit:</p>
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<p>Implying he might not return was not a veiled threat by Mattingly that he would quit, but rather a way of addressing the uncertainty over whether the club would dismiss him because he has sought a multiyear contract, according to a baseball source.</p>
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<p>The last few days have been busy, so here is a quick attempt to catch up on other Dodgers news:</p>
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<li> <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> is also a candidate for an extension from the Dodgers this winter, but in case they can't come to an agreement by January 14 he will file for salary arbitration. Matt Swartz at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.mlbdailydish.com">MLB Trade Rumors</a> went into detail on Thursday in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/11/arbitration-breakdown-clayton-kershaw.html">his reasoning for predicting an $18.15 million salary in 2014 for Kershaw</a>.</li>
<li>Unlike Mattingly and Kershaw, <span>Ricky Nolasco</span> is not bound to the Dodgers in 2014. Nolasco, a free agent, is reportedly seeking a five-year deal worth $80 million, per <a target="_blank" href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/free-agency-ervin-santana-ricky-nolasco-matt-garza-ubaldo-jimenez-sticker-shock-110713">Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports</a>.</li>
<li> <span>Juan Uribe</span> was named the Dodgers' Wilson Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday. Gerardo Parra won top overall defender honors in the NL, while <span>Dustin Pedroia</span> won AL top honors.</li>
<li>Charley Steiner will be inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame on Saturday. The 21st annual awards gala in Chicago will be hosted by Larry King.</li>
<li>J.P. Hoornstra of the LA Daily News <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20131105/dodgers-signal-a-change-in-philosophy">wrote about the Dodgers front office and their strategy for player development</a>.</li>
<li>Daniel Russell of DRays Bay wrote a series of posts trying to measure the interest around baseball in <span>David Price</span>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.draysbay.com/2013/11/7/5068948/david-price-trade-part-6-los-angeles-dodgers-st-louis-cardinals-houston-astros">Thursday's piece includes talk of Price to the Dodgers</a>, in which I answered a few questions.<br>
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<li>Remember that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/4/28/4279700/yasiel-puig-arrested-dodgers">reckless driving charge for Yasiel Puig in April in Tennessee</a>? The case was dismissed thanks largely to Puig's community service work already performed, per <a target="_blank" href="http://www.chattanoogan.com/2013/11/6/262885/Driving-Charge-Against-Dodger-Star.aspx">Hollie Webb of the Tennessee Chattanoogan</a>.</li>
<li>The Dodgers have reportedly hired longtime <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> scout Gary Pellant, <a target="_blank" href="http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-78073139/">per Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune</a>.</li>
<li>Bernie Pleskoff of MLB.com wrote <a target="_blank" href="http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20131106&content_id=63741398&vkey=news_la&c_id=la&tcid=tw_article_63741398">a glowing scouting report of prospect Corey Seager on Wednesday</a>, including this video:</li>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2013/11/7/5079240/don-mattingly-contract-extension-talks-dodgersEric Stephen2013-10-23T19:42:46-07:002013-10-23T19:42:46-07:00Mattingly will be back for 2014, at least
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<figcaption>Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Despite voicing his displeasure about the way his managerial status was handled, Mattingly will return to honor his 2014 contract, his agent told multiple reporters on Wednesday.</p> <p>Remember on Monday <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/21/4863274/don-mattingly-dodgers-manager-contract">when Don Mattingly said that even though his 2014 option vested it didn't mean he'd be back</a> to manage the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>? Well, he'll be back, at least in 2014, through reports from <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/9868913/don-mattingly-intends-honor-los-angeles-dodgers-contract">Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times</a>, Bill Plunkett of the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/mattingly-532749-dodgers-kasten.html">Orange County Register</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-don-mattingly-return-dodgers-manager-2014-20131023,0,2779354.story#axzz2ibKbKMcd">Ramona Shelburne of ESPN LA</a>.</p>
<p>Mattingly's agent, Ray Schulte, spoke to both reporters on Wednesday, and said Mattingly intends to honor his contract and return in 2014. Per Shelburne:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Donnie feels like he was able to say his piece, he did it for the betterment of the organization and now it's out there. Hopefully we can make this a positive and move forward," Schulte said. "Right now he's at home, he's waiting to hear from Stan and to talk about the future.</p>
<p>"There's no unrest, there's no bitterness or unhappiness. He's a big boy and he's going to deal with it and do what's best for the organization."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Stan in this case is Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten, who spoke with Hernandez and confirmed Mattingly wouldn't be fired for his Monday comments, which truthfully would have been even more surprising than the words.</p>
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<b>More</b>: <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/21/4863274/don-mattingly-dodgers-manager-contract" target="new">Mattingly wants multi-year deal</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/22/4866682/trey-hillman-fired-dodgers" target="new">Hillman let go</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/22/4899990/dodgers-2014-options-rick-honeycutt-tim-wallach-davey-lopes" target="new">Other coaches return</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/23/4959212/don-mattingly-lame-duck-managers-dodgers" target="new">Lame duck managers</a>
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<p>From Hernandez:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Even after Schulte said Mattingly would return, the possibility existed that Mattingly could be fired.</p>
<p>Nonsense, Kasten said.</p>
<p>"I’ve always been a big supporter of his," Kasten said.</p>
<p>Schulte said Mattingly is still looking for a multiyear deal. While Kasten declined to address that prospect directly, he said, "I’m anticipating a happy ending."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>"Never a question in my mind that Don would ever renege on his contract," Kasten told Plunkett.</p>
<p>Jon Heyman at CBS Sports <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24129075/mattingly-will-return-to-manage-dodgers-despite-differences">added that both Mattingly and the front office are "working out the final details" of Mattingly's contract</a>, and that whether he is extended beyond 2014 is still in question.</p>
<p>With <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">the World Series</a> going on, don't expect any official news to be announced anytime soon. What we know is that Mattingly will be back for 2014. Whether he gets his desired multi-year deal, well that could take at least a week or so. If not longer.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/23/5022828/don-mattingly-return-dodgers-manager-2014Eric Stephen2013-10-23T12:38:30-07:002013-10-23T12:38:30-07:00Don Mattingly & lame duck managers
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<figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Spor</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers manager already went through one season on the final year of his contract, and doesn't want to do so again.</p> <p>With <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">the World Series</a> starting on Wednesday and the embargo on news, official or otherwise, from MLB not wanting to upstage its premiere event, it's unlikely we will have a resolution to the Don Mattingly managerial situation this week.</p>
<p>Mattingly <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/21/4863274/don-mattingly-dodgers-manager-contract">wants a multi-year deal to return</a>, not wanting to be a lame duck for a second straight season, having his authority compromised and having to answer questions about his job status throughout the season. His option for 2014 vested with an NLDS win over Atlanta, but as Mattingly said on Monday, "That doesn't mean I'll be back."</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> may or may not work out a multi-year deal for Mattingly to return. I think he will return on a multi-year contract, with the apparent cost to Mattingly <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/22/4866682/trey-hillman-fired-dodgers">losing his bench coach in Trey Hillman</a>, his right-hand man for his three years at the helm. I think Mattingly will get a multi-year deal, with a new front-office-approved bench coach who can help guide Mattingly in whatever areas they feel are lacking.</p>
<p>It's understandable that Mattingly doesn't want to go through another year of being a lame duck. General manager Ned Colletti thinks Mattingly did just fine under that pressure the first time around.</p>
<p>"It's a personal taste. There are a lot of guys that have won at the end of their contract. There are people that have won the World Series in that situation, there are people that have had three-year contracts that didn't survive the first two weeks," Colletti said on Monday. "It's all a personal approach to it. I think he did great."</p>
<p>Here is a look at the nine managers other than Mattingly who managed in 2013 in the final year of their contract:</p>
<h4>Charlie Manuel</h4>
<p>In his ninth year as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> manager and about to miss the playoffs for the second straight season, Manuel was fired on Aug. 16 and replaced by Ryne Sandberg, who signed a three-year deal to remain in Philadelphia on Sept. 22, plus an option for 2017 as well.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<table align="center" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="2">Lame duck 2014 managers </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b><u>Manager </u></b></td>
<td><b><u>Team </u></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kirk Gibson^</td>
<td>Ari</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fredi Gonzalez</td>
<td>Atl</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Clint Hurdle*</td>
<td>Pit</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mike Matheny</td>
<td>StL</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ron Roenicke*</td>
<td>Mil</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Robin Ventura</td>
<td><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-world-series">CWS</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2"><i>*2015 option; ^2015-16 option<br>Thanks to <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/">Cot's Contracts</a> </i></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<h4>Eric Wedge</h4>
<p>In his third year in Seattle, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a> won 71 games and he and the club parted ways at the end of the season. The situation with Wedge, who had a .438 winning percentage in Seattle, was complicated somewhat when he missed time in July and August after suffering a mild stroke.</p>
<h4>Jim Leyland</h4>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a>, like the Dodgers, lost in the league championship series, in the second of two straight one-year deals for Leyland. But those one-year deals were by Leyland's choice, as the 68-year-old ultimately decided to retire on Monday, taking a front office job instead.</p>
<h4>Joe Girardi</h4>
<p>The situation most comparable to Mattingly was in New York, where a team with a bloated payroll was decimated by injuries. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> under Girardi missed the playoffs but were competitive, winning 85 games, and he signed a four-year extension on Oct. 9.</p>
<h4>Ned Yost</h4>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a> were competitive in 2013, finishing with 86 wins, their first .500 season in 10 years. Yost was rewarded with a two-year extension on Oct. 1.</p>
<h4>Ron Gardenhire</h4>
<p>Gardenhire is a fixture in Minnesota, and after the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> won 66 games in his 12th season, their third straight year with at least 96 losses, he signed a two-year extension to return.</p>
<h4>Walt Weiss</h4>
<p>The first-year manager won 74 games with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>, who signed a three-year deal on Oct. 15 to return to Colorado.</p>
<h4>Terry Collins</h4>
<p>Collins won 74 games in his third season in New York and has a .463 winning percentage in three seasons, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> gave him a two-year extension on Sept. 30, the day after the regular season ended.</p>
<h4>Davey Johnson</h4>
<p>He announced that 2013 would be his final season as manager when he signed an extension with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>, but even that contract had a job for him in 2014 as a special assistant.</p>
<p>So of the seven non-retiring lame duck 2013 managers, two were let go and five were signed to multi-year contracts to return, including three from losing teams. None were made to go through the lame duck scenario again.</p>
<p>"We dealt with that all year long, and it puts me in a spot where everything I do is questioned. I'm basically trying out or auditioning," Mattingly said. "To me we've reached that point, three years in you either know or you don't."</p>
<p>Including Mattingly, there are seven managers as of right now heading into 2014 as the final guaranteed year on their contract. Four of those managers, including Mattingly, made the playoffs in 2013, and I would be money on at least Clint Hurdle and Mike Matheny, if not more, signing shiny new extensions before next year.</p>
<p>Yes, Mattingly has his strategic flaws. Sure, he bunts too much, and I'm sure people cringed when he pinch ran for <span>Adrian Gonzalez</span> in a tied Game 1 of the NLCS, only to watch his replacement <span>Michael Young</span> hit into two double plays.</p>
<p>But in the bigger picture, Mattingly has respect in the clubhouse, an absolute must with the collection of high-priced talent on the roster. There have been no real blow ups in the locker room, like there were under the previous regime with Joe Torre, Larry Bowa and Bob Schaefer.</p>
<p>Either give him a multi-year deal or fire him, but I'm with Mattingly on this one. If the Dodgers want Mattingly to manage, and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/22/4899990/dodgers-2014-options-rick-honeycutt-tim-wallach-davey-lopes">bringing back seven of his eight coaches</a> is a strong indication they do, sign him to a multi-year deal.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/23/4959212/don-mattingly-lame-duck-managers-dodgersEric Stephen2013-10-22T17:33:05-07:002013-10-22T17:33:05-07:00Honeycutt, Wallach, Lopes, McGwire back in 2014
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/p-9eJAJbcC8Z3-vUy5bIY3-_pMc=/0x191:4000x2858/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21605873/20130417_ajw_ae6_246.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Hitting Mark McGwire will return as well, as he was already under contract for 2014.</p> <p>LOS ANGELES -- After about 24 hours or so of volatility surrounding the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> coaching staff, Tuesday afternoon brought a little more stability to the staff. The Dodgers announced they have exercised the 2014 options on pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, third base coach Tim Wallach and first base coach Davey Lopes.</p>
<p>Hitting coach Mark McGwire will also return, as he was already under contract for 2014. A Dodgers spokesperson said the club is also trying to retain assistant hitting coach John Valentin, assistant pitching coach Chuck Crim and bullpen coach Ken Howell. Those three did not have 2014 options in their contracts.</p>
<p>It appears the only casualty on the coaching staff was Trey Hillman, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/22/4866682/trey-hillman-fired-dodgers">whose 2014 option was declined by the team</a>.</p>
<p>The rift between manager Don Mattingly and the front office, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/21/4863274/don-mattingly-dodgers-manager-contract">laid out for all the world to see on Monday</a>, appears to be smoothing, as retaining nearly all of his coaching staff is an attempt to keep most of the status quo.</p>
<p>Mattingly still likely wants a multi-year contract to return, but it appears the cost of that will be a new bench coach of the front office's choosing. But it's hard to see the return of seven of the eight members of the coaching staff - assuming deals can be worked out for Crim, Howell and Valentin - as anything but an effort to keep Mattingly around.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/22/4899990/dodgers-2014-options-rick-honeycutt-tim-wallach-davey-lopesEric Stephen