Mattingly isn't worrying about contract status
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Dodgers manager Don Mattingly on Tuesday said he's "fine" with his contract situation, "comfortable right now" and "not worried" about the fact that he's signed only through the 2014 season.
The comments came in Mattingly's first group media session since the doozy of a season-ending news conference at Dodger Stadium, where he blindsided everybody by complaining about his lame-duck status and questioned whether he had the support of management.
Mattingly was back on script at his Winter Meetings appearance, except perhaps when asked if he regretted anything he said that day.
"Everything I said that day, I'm not backing off, I just don't want to talk about it anymore," he said, adding that his status has been fully discussed with club chairman Mark Walter, president Stan Kasten and general manager Ned Colletti.
"We've talked, I'm happy with the way everything's going," he said. "Ned doesn't want to talk about it, Stan doesn't want to talk about it. There's no change. I'm good."
He also said he was good with the current makeup of his ballclub, assuming Colletti completes his shopping list of an infielder, two relievers and a utility man.
Mattingly said he was confident management would resolve the hole at third base. Re-signing Juan Uribe is the preferred option, but Mattingly reiterated that Hanley Ramirez is willing to move over from shortstop, as long as the club doesn't move him back and forth.
"Hanley has been a great teammate. We heard the stories coming over but he's been great," Mattingly said Tuesday on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. "I think Hanley realizes he's a 225-pound shortstop that's getting a little older, third base might be the best place for him eventually, just to help him play more games. He definitely hits like a third baseman. Hanley is going to be a valuable, valuable guy and we'll see where that goes."
Mattingly said he was comfortable with a starting rotation that has Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Dan Haren so far.
"I love the Dan Haren signing," he said.
He also said he is approaching the upcoming season as if he will have all four outfielders -- Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier and Yasiel Puig -- without any traded away.
"It's a good problem to have for me," he said of four outfielders for three starting spots. "I think we can make that work."
Mattingly said he wasn't worried about his bullpen after the re-signing of super setup man Brian Wilson, keeping intact an imposing back-end tandem with closer Kenley Jansen.
"I thought Brian was a huge signing," said Mattingly. "That gives us two back-end guys and the last two innings are kind of like you feel you're in good hands. It allows everybody to slot in. Ned's still working on it, but it's nice to know the last two guys are pretty solid."
Mattingly is a big fan of young reliever Chris Withrow and he suggested that Brandon League shouldn't be written off because healthy relievers can rebound. The Dodgers also are looking to add a lefty to pair with Paco Rodriguez and are trying to bring back long reliever Jamey Wright.
"I just feel we're going to be OK," said Mattingly. "If the season started today, I'd be comfortable."
Mattingly also said he was thrilled to see mentor Joe Torre elected into the Hall of Fame, along with fellow managers Tony La Russa and Bobby Cox.
"It was awesome. Cool. I turned on the TV and there he was," said Mattingly. "I feel it was historical, the three of them. It was really cool for them to go in together."