Major League Baseball

La Russa will have options, if he wants them

Published Oct. 22, 2009 5:52 p.m. ET

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Ken Rosenthal

A year from now, four marquee franchises — the Braves, Cubs, Mets and Dodgers — all could have managerial openings.




Tony La Russa isn't likely to be interested.

Bobby Valentine might be.

La Russa, 65, currently is deciding whether he wants to return to the Cardinals. He does not sound enthused about starting over with another club.

If La Russa manages next season, it will be with the Cardinals. And even if he signs only a one-year contract, he probably would be unwilling to accept a multi-year deal with another club next winter.

"Looking ahead, I don't see that I can ever make that commitment to someone," La Russa said Wednesday in a telephone interview. "The way I look at it now, when it's time to get off the field, I'll be all fired up to get involved with a team upstairs (in the front office) somewhere.

"I don't know if anyone wants to bring you over for one year and that year only. Right now my concentration is on giving the Cardinals an answer before long about 2010. That's enough to consider. I don't go beyond that."

Valentine, one of four finalists for the Indians, is in a different situation. He might not get the Indians' job. He also might not want it, considering the other options that are bound to become available.

The Braves' Bobby Cox and Dodgers' Joe Torre plan to retire after next season. The Cubs' Lou Piniella could do the same. The Mets' Jerry Manuel, entering the final year of his contract, will be in immediate jeopardy.

Maybe none of those clubs would want Valentine, but it's difficult to believe that he would not get at least one offer from that group, plus others. The Marlins, in particular, might call again. And heaven knows what other jobs could open.

For now, the Indians could represent a sure thing, and Valentine might be a difference-maker in the mediocre AL Central. But Bobby V need not jump if the Indians make an offer that is not to his liking. And he need not fret if they choose someone else.

He can remain an ESPN analyst next season, catching up on the majors after managing the past six years in Japan.

If the right opportunity arose, he would be ready to pounce.

Tug of war over Acta?

Acta not only is a finalist for the Indians, but also a leading candidate for the Astros. The Indians are not likely to alter their process because of the Astros' interest. But Astros owner Drayton McLane might react to the Indians' pursuit.

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