Hank Steinbrenner is believed to be in favor of Don Mattingly succeeding Joe Torre. AP

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Hank Steinbrenner, who is well-liked by Yankees employees and much more of an Everyman than his buttoned-down younger brother, spoke kindly about Torre and repeatedly said there are "no decisions on anything." But like his dad, Hank is also believed to be a Mattingly supporter, so it's hard to imagine him being one to trumpet Torre. Hank worked in New York in the late '80s during the iconic Mattingly's heyday before taking over the family's highly successful horse farm, Kinsman Stud. When he was asked by SI whether previous managerial experience should be a prerequisite for the high-profile Yankees' job, he said that he believed Mattingly was the rare person who could overcome that deficit.

Mattingly's only real tutelage has come from being alongside Torre, which Mattingly has readily acknowledged over the past couple days. But while he lacks experience, he also provides an organizational bridge that could placate the Yankees' old guard, including three longtime stars -- Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte -- who could leave via free agency.

It's possible other prominent names will be debated by Yankees brass -- notably ex-Yankee Joe Girardi, plus La Russa and Bobby Valentine -- but while La Russa's free-agent status might make him tempting, Yankees people believe the recent publicity regarding Steinbrenner's alleged interest in him came from someone closer to La Russa and may be an attempt to get the Cardinals to up their offer for him to stay.

Perhaps someone inside the Yankees' decision-making circle will muster a case for La Russa or one of the others. But assuming Steinbrenner retains the ultimate call and sticks to his beliefs, the beloved Mattingly will soon become the Yankees' new manager.

Around the Majors

• If Dontrelle Willis hits the trade market, the Marlins would benefit by an absolute lack of available frontline starters. However, his poor season would give some teams pause. 'Which Dontrelle are you getting?" one GM wondered.

• The Jose Reyes-for-Johan Santana rumors are described as "pure fantasy" by people in the know.

• The Tigers' decision to exercise the $13 million option year on Ivan Rodriguez's contract reflects their concern about replacing I-Rod, and may also show where the market is headed, considering Pudge had by far his worst season. (His .714 OPS was his lowest since 1992, his first full season in the big leagues.)

• Mets people aren't giving up on Tom Glavine returning to them, even after he declined a $13 million option to do so. However, a friend of Glavine's said he believes the pitcher would lean toward playing at home in Atlanta if the Braves make him an offer.

• Charlie Manuel got a two-year deal after guiding the Phillies past the Mets. But Manuel didn't distinguish himself in the postseason. He appears to be an unhappy, charmless bumpkin. As opposed to Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, who's both happy and charming.

• The White Sox are expected to make a play for one of two center fielders -- Torii Hunter or Aaron Rowand, who manned center for them in their 2005 championship year. Rowand is also a favorite of Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who takes care of his favorites (see that four-year extension for Ozzie Guillen).

• Congrats to the Diamondbacks, Rockies and Indians, three more teams that showed you can win with a payroll below $100 million.

• The Yankees are intent on making phenom Joba Chamberlain a starter, and one reason is Chien-Ming Wang's postseason failure. Third base coach Larry Bowa told ESPN-1050 radio's Michael Kay that Wang isn't ready to be an ace. Of course, the plan assumes they keep Rivera.

• After the season of A-Rod, we are now officially into the offseason of A-Rod. The high-level posturing has already started between the Yankees and superagent Scott Boras, with Cashman again saying the Yankees will cut off negotiations if A-Rod opts out and Boras telling The New York Times, New York Post and others that A-Rod is made for free agency. But from here, the Yankees, who surely have the need and the financial means, remain the slight favorite to retain A-Rod, ahead of the Angels, Dodgers, Red Sox, Giants, Cubs, Mets and Phillies. Of course, there's still a month before he can opt out, plenty of time for more posturing.