Torre Changes Coasts: Heads To L.A.

Two weeks after rejecting a one year contract from the Yankees, Joe Torre agrees to a three year, $13 million deal to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers. The announcement came Thursday and will be officially introduced in a press conference Monday. Torre, the winningest manager in postseason history, agrees to take over a Dodger team that finished 4th in the NL West this season.

Torre should have plenty of talent in a weak National League to compete for a division title. The return of Jason Schmidt from injury and Brad Penny in the starting rotation should be very solid. Talent is evident on offense too with players like Russell Martin, Nomar Garciaparra, and Jeff Kent.

If Torre in anyway matches the success he had in the Bronx, L.A. should be very happy with this move for years to come.

Mattingly Favorite For Yankees Job

After four seasons as bench coach, Mattingly was interviewed Tuesday to replace former manager Joe Torre. Yankees broadcaster, and former Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi interviewed a day earlier. First base coach Tony Pena is due to speak with team officials on Wednesday.

Ever since Torre's departure Mattingly has benen considered the leading candidate for the job. Hank Steinbrenner said Monday four or five people will be interviewed, but it is possible the candidates will be limited to Girardi, Pena, and Mattingly. According to ESPN the Magazine's Buster Olney it "is a good bet" that the Yankees will name the team's next manager on Friday.

Drafted in the 19th round in 1979, he batted .307 with 2,153 hits and 1,099 RBIs during a 14-year career diminished by back injuries. He won nine Gold Gloves at first base and the 1985 AL MVP, serving as team captain before his No. 23 was retired by the Yankees in '97.

Breaking News: Joe Torre Turns Down Yankees Offer, Era Over

Joe Torre turned down the New York Yankees' offer to return as manager on Thursday.
The Yankees offered Torre a one-year deal with a base salary of $5 million and incentives that would have increased his salary to $8 million based on postseason performance.

- $1 million dollar bonus for reaching ALDS

- $1 million dollar bonus for reaching ALCS

- $1 million dollar bonus for reaching World Series