It's not as if Don Mattingly doesn't have an impressive résumé.
But the former Dodgers manager now has a chance to prove that Los Angeles' inability to reach the World Series wasn't his fault.
Bruce Bochy Mentioned On Wish List Of Dodgers Managerial Candidates
Major League Baseball currently has five managerial openings -- not counting the Dodgers -- that Mattingly now has a chance for with his career .551 winning percentage and three division titles.
The Marlins, Nationals, Padres and Mariners have vacancies, and his prospects were discussed by the YES Network.
Mattingly might have the best chance to show the Dodgers -- and his critics --- what their missing with the Nationals. That opportunity cannot be discounted.
Miami Marlins
The Dodgers were said to be possibly explain trade possibilities with Miami, which had expressed an interest, The Los Angeles Times reported. Mattingly would be reunited with infielder and 2015 batting and stolen bases champion Dee Gordon.
The Marlins also have power hitter Giancarlo Stanton, pitcher Jose Fernandez, who missed most of the season with Tommy John surgery, and up-and-coming outfielder Christian Yelich. CBS Sports' John Heyman reported that Mattingly and owner Jeffrey Loria have a relationship, but Loria is unpredictable, according to The Outside Corner.
San Diego Padres
Mattingly also would be reunited with former Dodger outfielder Matt Kemp, who hit 23 homers and had 100 RBIs in his first season with the Padres. San Diego also acquired Justin Upton and Wil Meyers, and was supposed to contend this season.
Expectations on Mattingly would be tempered, YES reports, if he were to go to the Padres, which would be far different from the expectations of managing the Dodgers.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners are similar to the Padres in that they were underachievers in 2015 and might have tempered expectations moving forward.
Seattle has its stars in pitcher Felix Hernandez and everyday players Robinson Cano and slugger Nelson Cruz. Plus, Mattingly would be able to the American League, which he is more familiar because of his ties as a player and coach with the Yankees.
Washington Nationals
The Nationals are built to win now, more so than the other three teams that might be interested in Mattingly. Washington has a 1-2 pitching punch with Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasberg, and what should be a perennial MVP candidate in Bryce Harper.
The situation is a bit similar to that of the Dodgers, and expectations would be higher for Mattingly to get this team to the World Series. Having already endured that in Los Angeles might be a deterrent. The difference is that Mattingly would be the hand-picked manager of the Nationals organization, where the Dodgers' front office inherited him.
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