The Los Angeles Dodgers have not yet picked up manager Don Mattingly's 2014 club option on his contract, despite Mattingly guiding the team to a NL West crown. That led Jon Heyman of CBS Sports to wonder if Mattingly will return to Los Angeles next season.
Will Don Mattingly return to the Dodgers in 2014?
The Dodgers have not yet exercised the manager’s 2014 club option, leading to some speculation about his future.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The well-connected reporter writes that there have been rumblings in the baseball community that Mattingly may need to win the NLDS to guarantee a return because the manager reportedly is not be a favorite of ownership. The Dodgers nearly fired the manager in June, but the team ripped off an impressive 42-8 winning streak, turning the season around.
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Dodgers management has publicly supported the manager, however, including team president Stan Karsten.
“He’s done a terrific job, obviously. We had stormy weather early. But he came through it great, leading us on a historic run. And we’re all hoping he’ll have the same magic touch in the postseason.”
Mattingly is respected in the dugout among his players, according to Heyman, but has faced criticism for some of his strategic decisions.
It still seems likely that Los Angeles will exercise Mattingly’s 2014 option once the season as over, but speculation over the situation will continue to swirl until a resolution is reached.
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