Discussing Whether Or Not The Dodgers Will Extend Don Mattingly

While things have been really good of late for Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, it’s been a roller coaster ride in his third year at the helm. Given the keys to an expensive team, the Dodgers flopped out of the gate due to injuries and an inability to drive runners in.

However, since June 22, the Dodgers are baseball’s hottest team and have jumped into the conversation as the World Series favorite. Normally a manager would feel a sense of security with success, but the Dodgers hold an option on Mattingly for next season.

Jim Bowden of SiriusXm and ESPN.com talked about the 10 manager’s in limbo, but expects a resolution with Mattingly:

Mattingly was told in late May by Dodgers President Stan Kasten that the team needed to start winning or there would be a change. Since that conversation, the Dodgers have the best record in baseball and are now the odds-on favorite to represent the NL in the World Series. Mattingly will be rewarded this offseason with a new long-term — and well-deserved — contract.

When the Dodgers were 30-42, it was widely assumed that Mattingly was a lame duck and it was just a matter of time before everyone went their separate ways. With outside pressure staring them in the face, Ned Colletti and Stan Kasten stood by their manager and let the team get healthy before ultimately making a decision

In almost three years as Dodgers manager, Mattingly has a higher winning percentage than Tommy Lasorda, Joe Torre and trails iconic manager Walter Alston in winning percentage, at .543.

While there’s a lot of season left and the Dodgers have a World Series or bust approach, expect Mattingly to finally receive a contract extension at seasons end.

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