Stage is set for seismic shifts on the managerial front this winter

There could be more big-name managers on the open market than ever this winter, with several marquee names potentially on the move, setting up several interesting scenarios. Yet, at least three men with great playing pedigrees but no major league managerial experience could yet wind up with big-league managing jobs -- Ryne Sandberg (Cubs), Ted Simmons (Mariners) and Tim Wallach (Dodgers).

Those jobs could go to others, of course. It may be early in the processes to name favorites, plus the Dodgers' job hasn't even opened up yet (Joe Torre is expected to announce next month whether he'll stay) and the Cubs and Mariners have interims in Mike Quade and Daren Brown, respectively, off to decent starts.

But those three men -- Wallach, Simmons and Sandberg -- appear to have at least a decent chance to emerge with big-league jobs.

Before anything happens, of course, several soap operas may have to play out. There's so much going on with managers that they may garner as much or more attention than player free agency for the first time.

The Dodgers, Cubs, Cardinals, Braves, Mariners, Blue Jays, Yankees, Mets, Pirates and Brewers are among teams that could possibly be looking at a change of manager, whether it be via a departure or a firing. Big names such as Torre, Tony La Russa, Dusty Baker and Joe Girardi all have expiring contracts.

Here's a look at three of the most intriguing managerial situations:

Dodgers

Wallach may get the surprise call. He is well-respected as the Triple-A Albuquerque manager, and just as important for the cost-conscious Dodgers, presumably not too expensive, considering he's already in the organization and only got the Triple-A job a year ago.

According to some in the know, Wallach will likely be the guy, assuming Torre leaves. But if they go for a bigger managing name, Baker, the ex-Dodger player who has led the surprising Reds to the top of the NL Central, could have a shot.

The original plan was to let Torre manage one more year, and then turn the job over to batting coach Don Mattingly. Torre was given a contractual offer in spring training, but he's been deciding ever since whether he wants to stay. Most believe he will not.

Some suggest that with Frank McCourt now running things alone, and not Frank and Jamie together, things have changed for Torre. While Frank was always clearly in charge, according to some, Jamie was the one who loved the Torre/Mattingly tandem, much more so than Frank. And being in with Jamie won't mean a thing at this moment. She's trying to win the team back through divorce court, but that would take awhile, if she has a chance at all.

The Dodgers have gone the money-saving route over the past couple years, but bucked critics by spending $5.25 million on first-round pick Zach Lee ("he's no Clayton Kershaw, and he got $2 million,'' one competing exec said) and can afford another big-name manager considering they are a marquee franchise, have already cut their payroll from $120 million to $83 million and have more salaries coming of the books than just about any team, with Manny Ramirez, Hiroki Kuroda and George Sherrill all but sure to depart.

Torre delayed his decision until September, presumably partly in hopes of rallying the troops and his team for a playoff push, which could have forced Frank McCourt's hand. But with the Dodgers still only on the fringe of the race, Torre seems unlikely to stay. And Mattingly, the ex-Yankee great who became Torre's right-hand man, no longer looks like the lock that he once did. Third base coach Larry Bowa has the experience, a lot of leadership qualities and isn't afraid to stand up to the players, but besides being tied to Torre, he is a big personality; his name doesn't appear to be connected to this job at the moment. however.

There are unsubstantiated whispers that Baker, who has delayed taking a Reds extension after a big year, could wind up in L.A.. The ex-Dodger is a hot name right now and could take pressure off McCourt to sign big-name players at a time when he's spending so much on legal fees. Baker has said that he isn't interested in talking about the Dodgers job, but that only makes sense in that Torre's still there and Baker needs to be focused on the Reds' possible division title run. He hasn't rushed to re-sign with the Reds, though that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

Wallach, an L.A. area native, looks like the more likely choice at this point, though.

Most likely: 1. Wallach. 2. Baker. 3. Mattingly.

Cubs

GM Jim Hendry has said it would be "foolish'' to say there's a favorite, and a person close to new owner Tom Ricketts has expressed a similar sentiment behind the scenes.

Even so, Ryne Sandberg has been seen by everyone as the most logical choice, and it's possible he was passed over for interim for Mike Quade because they didn't want to chance saddling Sandberg with a bad record. Quade, the well-regarded third base coach who was picked over bench coach and former big league manager Alan Trammell, is said to be a candidate. Quade said he wants the job, and is certainly doing it his way (he had Xavier Nady betting third and Jeff Baker fourth the other day). But while he's a quality company man (and he's off to a 3-0 start), hiring him fulltime for one of the biggest jobs in baseball would seem to be something of a long shot.

The Cubs have gone the "celebrity manager'' route two straight times, with Baker and Lou Piniella, and while both had more success than most with the North Side team, the two tenures ended badly. So Sandberg, a Cubs icon who isn't a celebrity as a manager and seems the opposite of the gregarious Baker and Piniella as a personality, does make a lot of sense. He does for other, more important, reasons, as well.

"Doesn't it have to be Sandberg?'' one competing manager said, referencing Sandberg's iconic status and successful four-year minor league managerial resume. He is the only Hall of Famer currently wearing a minor league uniform, and he should get credit for that.

A lot of folks seem to think that Sandberg will be the man. But Hendry also isn't afraid to hire a big personality as manager, so any of the possible managerial free agents shouldn't be ruled out.