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Dodgers GM Ned Colletti Could Be On The Hot Seat; Mattingly Safe

 

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — The Dodgers' front office and coaching staff is huddling to discuss the team's future after its second straight early exit from the playoffs.

Many people criticized Don Mattingly's decision to keep pitcher Clayton Kershaw on the mound in his second game of the NLDS game against the St. Louis Cardinals after giving up two straight base hits. And just as in the first game, Kershaw was rocked in the seventh inning in both starts to eventually lose the game.

"We're so proud of Clayton," said Mattingly. "It's a painful time when this thing comes crashing down."

Dodgers ownership seems to be OK with Mattingly's decisions, for now. They understand why Mattingly kept their potential MVP on the mound.

However, the man responsible for building the team could be in trouble.

Speculation on the future of general manager Ned Colletti is swirling in the wake of the Dodgers' elimination by St. Louis in four games earlier this week.

Colletti spent a lot of money to build the bullpen.

Throughout the biggest moments of the postseason, relievers worth $32.5 million were ineffective.

Instead, they let a reliever who made $575,000 absorb all the hits they took.

A topic of conversation among the staff was the club's aging roster, with six of the eight starting positions filled by players who are 30 or older.

"It's something you should pay attention to," he said. "But it's what the owners have talked about, building the farm system so you don't have to do it with free agents."

Mattingly said Thursday that he'd be "surprised" if Colletti doesn't return next year.

Under Colletti, the club has won the NL West title five times in nine years. Colletti is a holdover from when Frank McCourt owned the Dodgers.

Colletti and team President Stan Kasten are set to meet Friday.

Mattingly signed a contract last year that takes him through 2016. He says he assumes he'll be back next year, adding that no one has told him anything different.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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