It’s been a busy season for the Los Angeles. New owners. New players. Lots of new players. Lots of new players with enormous contracts. Through it all, general manager Ned Colletti has kept his head down, as he’s generally done since taking over shortly after the 2005 season ended.
Dodgers, GM Colletti Working Toward Extension
New owners often like to clean house in the front office. But in this case, it looks like Colletti will be running the Dodgers for a while yet. Here's Bill Shaikin (via the L.A. Times):
The Dodgers have opened discussions with Ned Colletti on a long-term contract extension, which could put him in position to become the team's longest-serving general manager since Al Campanis.
Dodgers Chairman Mark Walter said he did not know the details of the discussions but confirmed a new deal is on the table.
"That's my understanding," Walter said.
Colletti’s hardly been a disaster. As Shaikin notes, the Dodgers reached the postseason in three of Colletti’s first four seasons as general manager. Then, with the franchise riven by the McCourt’s mismanagement and divorce, the Dodgers suffered through a couple of (roughly) .500 seasons. Now, this strange season, in which Colletti has spent his new bosses’ money with something like wild abandon. Regardless of Colletti’s contract, the deals he’s made this season -- granted, with the full complicity of ownership -- will impact the franchise’s bottom line for many years to come.
The franchise can probably afford those deals, and more. But while money doesn't figure to be an issue for the Dodgers, management might be. The Dodgers have professed the desire to become The Yankees of the West ... but it's not yet obvious that Ned Colletti is the Brian Cashman of the Southland.
See More:
