While the summer will eventually end, the hot seat is only going to get hotter for Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.
This past week, official news came out about how the Los Angeles Dodgers are now paying over $300 million for players on and off of their team.
While this isn’t necessarily shocking news, the number is astronomical in comparison to teams who used to be known for throwing money onto the field, like the New York Yankees. Throw in the fact that $87.5 million of that $300 million is for players that are not even on the Dodgers, and it’s mind boggling. (Eric Stephen of True Blue LA further breaks down the payroll here).
The Dodgers aren’t just throwing money on the field, they also aren’t giving up a single prospect. No matter how much money it costs, the Los Angeles Dodgers are making sure that they don’t jeopardize their future at any cost.
Their number one and two prospects, Julio Urias and Corey Seager, are both enjoying hot summer days in Tulsa and Oklahoma City when they could have been easily traded for the money that the Dodgers dished out at the recent trade deadline.
With the constant of the increasing payroll, there has been another constant with the Dodgers: mediocracy.
Since the current high spending ownership took over in 2012, the Dodgers have only won two NL division titles, and have only made one NL Championship appearance.
All this, while the rival San Francisco Giants have won three World Series championships in the last five years.
If the Dodgers don’t at minimum make the World Series, Don Mattingly’s days as manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers are likely over. Even if they make the World Series, don’t expect Mattingly’s job to be a sure thing then, either.
All underachieving teams need a scapegoat, especially when the payroll is the size of the Los Angeles Dodgers. History tells us that the scapegoat is usually the manager.
Mattingly has had winning seasons every year since he replaced Joe Torre in 2011, and may be on to another one in 2015. However, if the Dodgers do make the post season in 2015, Mattingly will enter it with a post season win % of .429.
To be fair, it may not be all Mattingly’s fault if the Dodgers fail this year.
Having a payroll clearing $300 million doesn’t guarantee team chemistry, and keeping team chemistry is a bit hard when you have to bench all-stars because you have too many of them.
Unfortunately, that won’t be an excuse for Don Mattingly this year. Outfielder Matt Kemp was dealt in the off season to the San Diego Padres, and left fielder Carl Crawford has missed most of the year due to injuries. In addition to that, fat in other positions were trimmed when Hector Olivera and Juan Uribe were traded.
If the Dodgers do fire Mattingly after this season, expect Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia to be a candidate to take over as skipper for the Dodgers.
Scioscia has been with the Angels for years, but had a falling out with former general manager Jerry Dipoto. While Dipoto did resign, that doesn’t mean there isn’t other things going on between Scioscia and the rest of the baseball operations team, especially after the organization fired hitting coach Mickey Hatcher back in 2012. The team also seems to be on a downward spiral as injuries continue to plague the team’s pitching staff and rotation.
With the ability to opt out of his contract, the Dodgers could easily whoa Scioscia up the I-5. Not to mention, Scioscia would be welcomed by fans after being a Dodger for all of his playing career.
The Angels have been mediocre as the long as the Dodgers have been, and a change of scenery may be best for Scioscia and the Angels. Scioscia’s experience as a world championship manager may be all that the Dodgers need to get over the hump.
Main Photo: ST LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 06: Don Mattingly #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on before taking on the St. Louis Cardinals in Game Three of the National League Division Series at Busch Stadium on October 6, 2014 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
