L.A. BECOMES N.Y. WEST??

by Jack Cobra, Cobra Brigade

In what has started out to be one of the most active managerial off-seasons in recent past, it looks like Joe Torre is going to switch coasts (if you can say NY is on a coast) and go to L.A. to manage the Dodgers for the next couple of seasons. On top of that, he's taking at least one major Yankee cohort with him.

Multiple media reports late Monday night said that former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre could replace Grady Little as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

If Torre is hired, his bench coach in New York, Don Mattingly, would likely
move with him to Los Angeles as a coach -- joining the organization that drafted his son, Preston, in 2006.

First of all, this would be a great move for both Torre and the Dodgers. For Torre it would allow him to manage in an atmosphere that is more relaxed than The Big Apple. The Dodgers have a lot of young talent, but have had some issues in the clubhouse with their professionalism and the mixing of youngsters and veterans. This was one of Torre's calling cards as the Yankees skipper and he should excel in L.A.

This would allow the Dodgers to have a manager in place that both the veterans and youngsters would have to listen to and respect. It was reported numerous times towards the end of the season that Manager Grady Little had 'lost the clubhouse' and it was kind of in a 'Thunderdome' (no rules) type of world. Torre would almost instantaneously clear up all these issues.

With Torre going to L.A., this leaves me with two major questions. 1) If Mattingly goes with him, how does that affect Mattingly's stature with the Yankees Organization? He was one of the top prospects for the managing spot after Torre left, but lost out to Joe Girardi. Will the Yankees, and their newfound iron fist, look down upon Mattingly heading West? 2) Does Mariano Rivera follow Torre to L.A.? The Dodgers have a closer already (Saito), but Torre has helped keep Rivera healthy and happy with his usage out of the bullpen. It would be difficult for Rivera, an aging veteran, to find a manager who could fit his needs as his career comes to a closer over the next couple of seasons.

With the Red Sox winning the World Series and everything that is going on with the Yankees, and those that surround them...this is already turning into one of the most anticipated off-seasons in MLB history.