Little Resigns, Torre In. A-Rod, Shilling to Follow?

By: Nate Gordon

(Los Angeles, CA - AGM Exclusive) The rumors had raged across Los Angeles even quicker then last weeks wildfires. They spread so fast in fact that, before Joe Torre had boarded the jet heading for Tampa with Brian Cashman, we in the local media started wondering if the Dodgers commitment to Grady Little would be reconsidered if Joe was available. I went so far as to write this last week: 'The sports equivalent to watching your best friend date your sister and pretend like it's no big deal is being a Dodger fan watching Ned Colletti pretending like Grady Little as our manager is no big deal. Granted I will have to concede that the '07 Dodger collapse can hardly rest on the shoulder of Little alone, but his managing style had a lot to do with it. Grady is a laid back, roll with the punches type of guy, not too much upsets his 'apple cart' and he does little to upset the ship as it sails.' We were all disgusted by the Dodgers losing 11 of their last 14, while Jeff Kent whined and cried and pissed and threw a 6 week fit, destroying locker room chemistry. A change was needed in the Dodger clubhouse and with Joe Torre unemployed and the Dodgers his childhood team, it seemed obvious that they would fire Little and go after Joe. But Grady wasn't pleased with his situation in the organization, with the whispers of Torre's arrival in Los Angeles lurking over his shoulder, Grady took a few moments to reflect on the previous season. Injuries and malcontent veterans on his roster were wearing on him in the second half of the season. Even if the Dodgers stood true to their word and these rumors were just that, rumors, Grady would be on the hot seat all season. An early season skid would see his job all but terminated. Grady saw no need for all that stress and hardship in his life, realized he could negotiate a severance package and resigned. It was the classy thing to do, it was the right thing to do and as always, Grady has found a way to not upset the ship as it sails.

While listening to 'The Big Show with Steve Mason and John Ireland' on 710AM ESPN Radio Los Angeles yesterday, they piped into the Ned Colletti/Grady Little conference call at 4:00 pm PST. Grady stated himself that he was resigning and that the decision was mutual. Ned Colletti had this to say: '"It's a difficult thing for many of us, Grady's a man I'm very fond of and I have grown very close to him these last few years." Grady also contributed: "It's something that had to happen at this time, it's better for this organization. I got so much respect for this organization... it's something me and my family have talked about, we've included Ned in our conversations and it's the decision we made." When asked what he plans to do in the future Grady simply stated "I'm going to play with my grand kids, a lot." I wouldn't be surprised if Little ends up in the Dodger front office in the future.

Colletti was as ambiguous as your buddy who hooks up with the ugly frat girl and doesn't want you to know about it when talking about hiring the Dodgers next manager. A fellow writer from the Orange County Register (I couldn't hear their names over the radio, not like it's important, he's from Orange County) grilled Colletti over hiring Torre. Ned only had this to say: "We haven't hired anybody. We'll talk about it at a later date." That later date apparently was today, as Torre and the Dodgers are currently in negotiations.

I also wrote last week: '''That 3rd base question is a big one, with the Dodger looking for someone with both All Star defense and power. The answer that makes the most sense when not talking about money is Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod would receive all the attention and endorsements he could ever ask for by coming to the Entertainment Capitol of the World.
However will Frank McCourt be willing to shell out the $27-30 million a year that would be required over the next 7-10 years to put A-Rod in Dodger Blue?''' With Torre all but signed on to be the Dodgers skipper, it would seem obvious that Donny Ballgame would come along to be the bench coach (Don's Son Preston Mattingly is in the Dodger Farm system as well). Both men have very good relationships with A-Rod which should give McCourt even more incentive to fork over the monetary compensation that he and Scott Boras demand.

Today Curt Shilling was also associated with the Dodgers as one of the teams he would be willing to play for next season. With 3 World Series rings already on his hand, would Shilling be willing to take less money to come out to Los Angeles to play for Torre, along side A-Rod for a legitimate shot at a 4th championship? It's fun to talk about and kick around, a Dodger offseason with that much impact would rival what Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics did this summer.

It's been 50 years since the Dodgers left Brooklyn for Los Angeles, Walter O'Malley gave us a gift, it's time for Joe to come home, 3000 miles away.

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