NewsMattingly not interviewing with Nationals
Dodgers hitting coach withdraws name from consideration
By Alden Gonzalez and Ken Gurnick / MLB.com
11/03/09 8:25 PM EST
Dodgers hitting coach Don Mattingly has declined to interview for the Nationals' opening for manager, Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti confirmed through a team spokesperson on Tuesday.The move could be an indication that Mattingly and the Dodgers are making progress on a new contract that would formalize his succeeding current manager Joe Torre, who has one year remaining on his contract.
Washington is expected to name its manager in the next week. Interim manager Jim Riggleman is a candidate for the position. Ownership is reluctant to spend top dollar, according to the Washington Times, likely eliminating possible replacements like Bobby Valentine or Buck Showalter.
The Times added, through a source, that all of the coaches from last season's staff have been told by general manager Mike Rizzo they're assured of jobs somewhere within the organization, even though their contract statuses are currently up in the air. Riggleman has identified potential staff members who, combined with holdovers from last year, could fill out a coaching staff soon, according to The Times.
"Like I said in the past, we have a terrific in-house candidate in Jim Riggleman, who has as good a chance as anybody to become the manager for the Washington Nationals," Rizzo said recently.
Another possibility could be former Mariners and D-backs manager Bob Melvin, who has reportedly spoken to Rizzo in recent weeks about a position with the club
Alden Gonzalez and Ken Gurnick are reporters for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
