Dodgers’ coaching staff is still not set

By Tony Jackson, Daily News:

Joe Torre’s yet-to-be-assembled coaching staff probably won’t be complete before he and new boss Ned Colletti depart Monday for the general managers’ meetings in Orlando, Fla., a Dodgers source said Friday on the condition of anonymity. That probably means it won’t be complete until at least the following week.

The only thing clear is that bench coach Don Mattingly and third-base coach Larry Bowa will follow Torre from New York to Los Angeles, a fact confirmed by several sources over the past few days. Two of Torre’s past coaches with the Yankees, Lee Mazzilli and Jose Cardenal, also have been mentioned as strong possibilities.

Mazzilli, 52, was Torre’s first-base coach from 2000-03 before being named manager in Baltimore. He returned as Torre’s bench coach in 2006 after being fired by the Orioles.

Mazzilli was fired by the Yankees after last season, but that decision reportedly was made at a level higher than Torre’s.

Cardenal, 64, was the Yankees’ first-base coach from 1996-99 and also coached under Torre with St. Louis in 1994-95. He spent the past three seasons as Washington’s minor-league outfield and baserunning coordinator. But Cardenal’s contract with the Nationals expired three days ago and has yet to be renewed, so the Dodgers wouldn’t need permission to pursue him.

Torre will be formally introduced in a news conference Monday in center field at Dodger Stadium - yes, in center field. The club is expecting such a large contingent of media from both Los Angeles and New York that the event was moved outdoors.
Torre is expected to speak publicly as Dodgers manager for the first time while standing on the outfield grass, with the five-level grandstand behind home plate as a backdrop.

Immediately afterward, Torre, Colletti and a handful of front-office officials will jet off to Orlando, where, among other things, they will begin the long process of fine-tuning the Dodgers’ roster for a season that will bring higher expectations than any in recent memory.

Hiring a marquee manager with star power has a way of creating that.

The Dodgers need a third baseman, with likely American League Most Valuable Player and outspoken Torre fan Alex Rodriguez the top free agent available. But Rodriguez is expected to command a contract in the 10-year range with an annual salary around $30 million, and that might be a price Dodgers owner Frank McCourt finds difficult to stomach.

Another marquee third baseman widely believed to be available on the trade market is Florida’s Miguel Cabrera, who is in line for a “more reasonable” figure of about $11 million through arbitration but who probably would cost the Dodgers at least three of their top young players or prospects.

The Dodgers also need a center fielder, with Juan Pierre probably moving to left, and another proven starting pitcher.