It has been well publicized that Don Mattingly was not happy about having his future as the Dodger manager hanging over his head this past season – not even a little bit; this in spite of the fact that his 2014 option vested shortly after Juan Uribe launched a David Carpenter slider deep into the Dodgers bullpen (after two failed bunt attempts) to clinch the National League Division Series over the Braves.

“My option vested once we beat Atlanta,” said Mattingly at Monday morning’s end-of-the-season press conference at Dodger Stadium. “That doesn’t mean I’ll be back.”

Mattingly went on to say that he did not enjoy being a “lame duck” manager and that he does not want to do so again if the Dodgers retain him under his 2014 option. Here again, the option has vested, so he gets paid whether he stays or goes. And while nearly everyone in the crowded media interview room left with the feeling that Mattingly was a goner, there was one guy who did not.

Me.

I would be absolutely shocked if Mattingly is not given a contract extension.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

I’m not just saying this just because I like Don Mattingly (in spite of his bonehead move of replacing his best run producer with a pinch runner in a tied NLCS Game-1 and the aforementioned ill-advised bunt attempt home run by Uribe), I am saying this because of Ned Colletti’s initial (and repeated) answer to LA Times reporter Dylan Hernandez’s initial (and repeated) question as to Mattingly’s future with the organization.

“I have tremendous confidence and faith in this guy,” said Colletti of Mattingly.

I am also saying this because of what most reporters (and bloggers) neglected to mention (or at least emphasize) in their respective re-caps of Monday’s presser.

“Yeah, I love it here,” said Mattingly. “I’ve always said that. I like being here.”

Instead, most emphasized on what Mattingly said next.

“…but I don’t want to be anywhere you’re not wanted.”

This kind of goes without saying, don’t you think?

My overall impression (and opinion) is that Mattingly absolutely does not want to manage the 2014 Dodgers under his current option year and will return only if there is a new multi-year (I’m guessing 2+1 or another 3+1) contract extension in place – which I absolutely believe he will get.

There is every indication that this situation will be resolved very soon, perhaps within the next day or two.

Stay tuned…

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Press Conference Notes:

• During Monday’s press conference, Colletti said that there have been no meetings yet regarding any staff changes for next season.
• Colletti said that Dodger right-hander Chad Billingsley has had no setbacks in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He did say that it is still a 16 to 18 month recovery process.
• Colletti declined to comment on whether or not the Dodgers are looking to re-sign (now) free agent Brian Wilson or whether reports that the Dodgers are in on two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum. Colletti’s reluctance to answer came as no surprise, as teams and pending free agent players are not permitted to negotiate until after the World Series – but, hey, it was worth a shot, right?
• Mattingly said that Dodger fans should be pleased that new ownership fulfilled their promise of building a strong team and improving the overall fan experience.
• Mattingly was very direct with reporters saying that the Dodgers “…didn’t deserve to win…” the NLCS. He added that when you get to this level, you are playing a team that “…is as good as you are.”
• Mattingly said that the team accomplished many great things during the season, especially their 42-8 run, but said that “…the end of  the year was like the beginning of the year.”
• When asked if the Dodgers were pursuing 24-year-old right-handed Japanese pitching sensation Masahiro Tanaka, Colletti said that they were “…scouting him heavily as recently as two days ago.”
• Colletti confirmed that they were very close to finalizing a 4-year/$28 million deal with Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero, adding that the deal could be done by day’s end. Colletti added that scouting reports indicate that Guerrero is MLB-ready and that he would most likely play second base for the Dodgers. Although Colletti wouldn’t comment on whether or not they would pick up current second baseman Mark Ellis’s $5.75 million club option for 2014, he said that they would like to bring the 36-year-old Ellis back. (Note: It is my opinion that if Ellis is brought back, it would be as a utility infielder.) (Trivia Note: Mark Ellis is mentioned in John Patterson’s new book ‘Gone‘, in which an incident occurs at Dodger Stadium shortly after Mark Ellis doubles off of Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum in a tied game which leads to Lincecum’s removal from the game – you gotta love that).
• Whereas Colletti said that Hyun-jin Ryu was everything that he had expected in his first season with the Dodgers, Mattingly said he was better that expected.
• When asked if the bad blood between the Dodgers and Diamondbacks might become an issue when the two teams kickoff the 2014 season in Australia, Mattingly kidded “You mean ‘The Rumble Down Under?'” Colletti added “We’re just going to play baseball.”

Other Dodger News:

Shortly after Monday’s press conference it was reported on Twitter that Dodgers head trainer Sue Falsone would not be returning to the team in 2014. Although immediate speculation was that Falsone, the first female head trainer in MLB history, had been let go by the Dodgers, Falsone later confirmed (also on Twitter) that she had resigned from her position well before Monday’s press conference:

“It is with a heavy heart to say that I will not be returning to the LA Dodgers in order to pursue other opportunities within my career. I want to thank ownership, Ned Colletti and Stan Conte for the incredible opportunity they gave me over the six years I’ve been with the organization. To be a part of a storied organization has truly been my honor.

“I’d like to thank Don Mattingly and the coaches for welcoming me as part of their staff. I’d like to thank the fans for your incredible support you have shown me in so many ways. Finally, thank you to the players and their families for allowing me to be a part of your lives and healthcare. You are truly the reason I do what I do.”

You will be deeply missed, Sue – especially by your number one fan.