Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Recently retired Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre confirmed on Wednesday that he is in talks with commissioner Bud Selig about a position with Major League Baseball.
However, Torre said Selig hasn’t made him a formal offer and that he believes Selig still is considering other candidates. Â “The commissioner and I have been talking,” Torre said. “I’m just trying to figure out what feels right, I guess.”
Torre is attending baseball’s quarterly owners meetings in Arizona because he is part of Selig’s competition committee, which is scheduled to meet Thursday. Torre said that in addition to attending that meeting, he also hopes to continue to discuss the job with Selig sometime during this event, “if he has time.”
Various news reports in recent days have stated that the position for which Torre is being considered is that of executive vice president for baseball operations, formerly held by New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson. Torre initially said he was under the impression that the role hadn’t been that clearly defined yet, but when a reporter told him that sources in the commissioner’s office were saying otherwise, Torre seemed to relent.
“They would know more than I would, obviously, because it’s originating out of that office,” Torre said.
One factor that could be a sticking point is Torre’s willingness to return to New York, where the commissioner’s office is located. Although Torre grew up in Brooklyn, he said he has a strong preference to remain in Los Angeles. However, one source in the league office, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the job of executive VP for operations is one that couldn’t possibly be done from long distance.
“I’m not planning on [moving],” Torre said. “I have enjoyed L.A. a lot, although I can’t speak for the rest of my family.”
Torre, who is 70 and announced his retirement just before the end of last season, reiterated that he has no plans to ever return to managing.
“I don’t think I could be tempted to do that again,” said Torre, who also managed the Mets,Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals before a spectacular, 12-year run with the New York Yankees that included four World Series titles.
Tony Jackson covers the Dodgers for ESPNLosAngeles.com.
Follow Tony Jackson on Twitter:Â @dodgerscribe
