Los Angeles Dodgers manager Grady Little resigned Tuesday with a year remaining on his contract.
First, Little called the move “a mutual resignation.” Later, he said it was his choice to leave.
“I’ve got my own personal reasons. There’s a lot of belief I’ve been dealt an injustice here. That couldn’t be further from the truth,” Little said. “My plans? To play with my grandkids.”
When asked if reports that the Dodgers were speaking with Joe Torre influenced his decision, Little replied firmly, “No.”
Torre and his former bench coach with the New York Yankees, Don Mattingly, have discussed the possibility of joining the Dodgers together, according to a person with knowledge of those talks. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the manager’s job was still open in Los Angeles.
“We haven’t hired anybody,” Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said. “We’re talking to some people. That’s all I’m going to tell you.”
The New York Post reported on its website Torre had agreed in principle to a $14.5 million, three-year contract with the Dodgers.
The Dodgers went 170-154 in two seasons under Little.
Girardi signs three-year deal. Joe Girardi, the first catcher in Rockies history who became the 2006 NL manager of the year with Florida, agreed to a three-year contract to manage the Yankees. Girardi’s deal is worth about $7.8 million.
Brewers decline option on Jenkins. The Brewers declined a $9 million option for Geoff Jenkins, parting ways with the veteran left fielder who has played his entire career in Milwaukee.
Astros re-sign Ausmus. The Houston Astros re-signed catcher Brad Ausmus to a $2 million, one-year deal.
