Dodgers' crapshoot rotation must avoid Howard at all costs (cont.)

Torre's wife isn't the only one skeptical about his retirement plan

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If the iconic Torre has been bothered at all by the Dodgers-owning McCourts, as has been rumored, Torre hasn't been complaining about it, two Dodgers people said.

Those two Dodgers officials say if there's any issue at all there, they have yet to hear one word about it. "He's never said a word about it," one Dodgers person said.

"The job's been fun," Torre said. "And if that were the case, it wouldn't be fun. And the job really has been fun"

Frank McCourt is seen as a tough boss. But McCourt is likely preoccupied lately with his ongoing dispute with his wife, Jamie. They are divorcing, and the Los Angeles Times reported they are disputing who owns what portion of the team. McCourt's lawyer told the paper the team is his, while her lawyer said it's 50-50. So they have plenty to worry about beyond lineups.

Torre worked for 12 years for the Steinbrenners, and he was able to navigate that situation successfully. So it seemed unlikely the McCourts could become such a bother for him.

After Game 3, the Cooperstown-bound Torre reiterated his plan to finish out his three-year contract by managing only one more year after this one. "My wife doesn't believe me, but I anticipate that's what's going to happen," Torre told SI.com. "I know I also have said that before. But I haven't been 69 years old before. Am I saying a lightning bolt won't hit me? No, I can't guarantee that. But that's not what I anticipate."

Torre's wife isn't the only one who is skeptical.

"He's been in the game since he was 18," one Dodgers person said. "What else is he going to do?"

Dodger mystery: GM Colletti's future still unresolved

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti had a big year in 2009, basically restoring the team that went to the NLCS, then making several excellent acquisitions this summer, including Padilla, George Sherrill and Ronnie Belliard, who's taken Orlando Hudson's job in the postseason. Yet mysteriously, Colletti's situation remains unresolved.

People around the team believe that he will be extended at some point. But that it hasn't happened yet is stunning.

As was in the case in New York, where Torre was close to general manager Brian Cashman when they worked together, Torre has forged a very close relationship with the Dodgers GM. Colletti first tried to hire Joe Girardi to replace Grady Little but turned to Torre when it became clear Girardi wanted to replace Torre in New York instead. At the time Colletti hired Torre, they only knew each other slightly, and only through Don Zimmer, who Colletti knew from Cubs days and Torre knew from Yankees days. Yet Colletti hired him basically on the spot -- a very good call.

Colletti's contract called for a mutual option, whereby both sides would have to agree for a return at a previously agreed-upon figure. But the Dodgers have to understand that Colletti has earned a multiyear deal. He is also due a substantial raise (word is, he is far from being one of baseball's best-paid GMs, despite leading a marquee franchise to the LCS two years running).

One Dodger speculated that the club-owing McCourts were originally thinking they could keep Colletti's pay down if the team failed to make the playoffs. But with the Dodgers in the NLCS yet again, that plan should be out the window.

Notes

• The easiest contractual call anyone will make this winter will be the Phillies picking up the $9 million option on Cliff Lee's contract. The harder part for them will be locking him up beyond that. The Indians knew they couldn't afford him, but at least the Phillies have the money and a decent shot to do it.

• It's odd that Lee said he was told he was going to pitch the ninth inning if the lead stayed 8-0. But Charlie Manuel removed him when Shane Victorino made it 11-0 after Lee singled in the eighth. I know the Phillies' pen is somewhat iffy, but presumably they can hold an 8-0 lead.

• The Reds' hiring of Bryan Price as pitching coach should kill the rumors that Tony La Russa and Dave Duncan might surface in Cincy. La Russa has told folks in St. Louis he will either accept their offer to stay Cardinals manager or find something else to do in baseball besides managing.

• Here's the opinion of one NL executive: Time to break up the Mets. "Something's wrong with that team," that person said. "They are not good together." However, that person said he would hold onto David Wright.

• Funny that two former Mets, Bobby Valentine and Manny Acta, should be contending for the Indians managing job. Valentine would be a great choice for the rebuilding Indians if they can afford him.

• One interesting facet for the Dodgers-Phillies series is how some of the key players in it used to play for the other team. Padilla and Wolf comprise half the Dodgers' rotation in the series. Werth has been a find for the Dodgers.

• Rays people think the team badly underachieved this year. Have to say, I agree.

• The Brewers are probably willing to part with J.J. Hardy and Mat Gamel in trade to get some starting pitching help.

• The L.A. teams don't appear to have enjoyed the cold weather so far.