The Dodgers are still hoping to retain bullpen coach Chuck Crim, assistant pitching coach Ken Howell, and assistant hitting coach John Valentin, but none have a contract option for 2014.
That leaves bench coach Trey Hillman as the only member of the Dodgers’ 2013 coaching staff who might not return. Earlier in the day, the Dodgers declined the option on Hillman’s contract but invited him to remain in the organization.
That scarcely adds up to an overhaul of a staff that manager Don Mattingly was hoping to keep intact. The larger question, of course, is whether Mattingly himself will return.
The manager had a vesting option in his contract for 2014 that automatically renewed when the Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series. But in a sometimes-awkward press conference Monday, Mattingly strongly indicated that he would not return without an extension beyond next season.
While general manager Ned Colletti said that the situation would be resolved “quickly,” Mattingly left town Tuesday morning. The belief now is that the Dodgers might wait until after the World Series to announce Mattingly’s fate beyond next season.