Little resigns, clearing way for Torre in L.A.

By From News Services

Last update: October 31, 2007 - 12:24 AM

Grady Little resigned as Los Angeles Dodgers manager on Tuesday, paving the way for Joe Torre to take the job.

Little, 57, leaves with a year left on his contract plus a club option for 2009. Owner Frank McCourt said on the season's last day that Little would return in '08, but recently news outlets have reported the Dodgers were speaking with Torre.

The New York Post reported on its website Tuesday night that Torre had agreed in principle to a $14.5 million, three-year contract with the Dodgers, but a baseball official with knowledge of the search said no deal was imminent. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the job was still open.

"I've got my own personal reasons," said Little, who went 82-80 this season after going 88-74 and winning the wild card in 2006, his first year in Los Angeles. "There's a lot of belief I've been dealt an injustice here. That couldn't be further from the truth. My plans? To play with my grandkids."

When asked if reports that the Dodgers were speaking with Torre influenced his decision, Little replied firmly: "No."

Torre, 67, managed the New York Yankees to four world championships and 12 playoff appearances in as many seasons before turning down a one-year, $5 million offer for next season.

"We haven't hired anybody," Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said. "We're talking to some people, that's all I'm going to tell you. We'll talk about where we go from here at a later date."

Girardi takes over

Joe Girardi agreed to a three-year contract to replace Torre in New York's dugout.

"I think any of us would be somewhat surprised to get the job because it's such an honor," said Girardi, the former Yankees catcher who was offered the job Monday. "I'm extremely excited and thrilled.

"I can't be Joe Torre, because I'm made up different. I'm a different character. I'm just worried about being myself and getting the most out of the guys."

Girardi was the 2006 NL Manager of the Year with Florida and served as Yankees bench coach under Torre. He was a TV announcer this year.

The deal is worth an average salary of at least $2 million annually, a baseball official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the details.

• Once he was told Monday that Girardi had been chosen, Don Mattingly told the team he had no interest in returning to the Yankees next year in any other coaching position.

Advance warning?

Teams regularly receive up to nearly two days' notice before drug testing of players, the New York Times reported on its website. Officials of home teams are notified in advance to leave stadium and parking passes for the testers.

Rob Manfred, baseball's executive vice president for labor relations, and players' union general counsel Michael Weiner were quoted as saying players are not given advance notice of tests and that it wasn't an issue.

But doping expert John Hoberman said, "They are opening the door to serious doubts about the integrity of the program."

Etc.

• The Brewers said that they have declined a $9 million option for Geoff Jenkins, parting ways with the veteran left fielder who has played his entire career in Milwaukee. Jenkins, 33, was called up in 1998 and was part of a platoon this year.

• Odalis Perez's $9 million option was declined by Kansas City, and fellow pitcher David Riske turned down his $2.9 million player option.

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