Dodgers fire Don Mattingly’s bench coach

Hillman had been handpicked by Mattingly to be his bench coach three years ago when he was first hired by the Dodgers. There had been some discussions around midseason about dismissing Hillman when the team was in last place.

General manager Ned Coletti is the one who talked to Hillman and let him go, says Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. Mattingly was not involved in the decision at all.

Mattingly has one more year remaining with the Dodgers on his contract after his option for 2014 vested. He has been vocal about a perceived lack of confidence in him on the part of management. The Dodgers are rumored to be disenchanted with Mattingly following some questionable managerial moves in the playoffs.

When Mattingly told reporters during a press conference Monday his option had vested, he was sure to say that it did not mean he would return next year. He was frustrated by the team’s reluctance to pick up his option earlier and said he does not want to stay somewhere he is not wanted.

The Dodgers front office was not happy with the comments made by Mattingly at the press conference. Coletti said Monday that discussions between the two sides would be resolved quickly. The firing of one of Mattingly’s closest coaches may indicate he will indeed not return to Los Angeles next year.

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