Dodger Job Could Go to Collins

With the Dodger front office deep in deliberations, Terry Collins has emerged as the leading candidate to become manager, several high-level sources said Monday.

Collins has the strongest resume of the six men who have been granted interviews and has gained the trust of General Manager Paul DePodesta in his role as director of player development.

A decision has not been reached, however. Atlanta Brave batting coach Terry Pendleton will be interviewed Wednesday and DePodesta plans to talk to Kirk Gibson, Bobby Valentine and Orel Hershiser. They are considered longshots and none of the former Dodgers were contacted Monday.

Other opportunities might exist in the organization, though. DePodesta likes bringing former Dodger players into the fold, as he did last year with minor league coaches Dave Anderson and Steve Yeager.

“I think there is a special aura there,” he said. “I’m not going to leave stones unturned.”

Gibson and Hershiser, of course, were heroes the last time the Dodgers won a World Series, in 1988. Both have told associates they would be thrilled to return to the Dodger organization.

DePodesta is also considering talking to Angel bench coach Joe Maddon, who can be contacted now that the team has been eliminated from the playoffs.

Any new candidate would be measured against Collins, whose six seasons of major league managing experience and long history with the Dodgers give him an advantage over the other candidates interviewed last week -- former Detroit manager Alan Trammell, Dodger triple-A manager Jerry Royster, San Francisco bench coach Ron Wotus and Cleveland minor league manager Torey Lovullo.

“It takes a while to get to know Paul and there is no question that he and Terry get along well,” a Dodger front-office source said. “It gives Terry a big advantage.”

DePodesta also likes the fact that Collins, 56, was a Dodger minor league manager for eight seasons before ascending to the majors with the Houston Astros in 1994. Collins posted a record of 444-434 in three seasons with the Astros and nearly three with the Angels. He resigned late in the 1999 season amid clubhouse strife that centered around first baseman Mo Vaughn.

Before making the hire, the Dodgers plan to bring back the top candidate or candidates to interview with owner Frank McCourt, who has said he will be “very involved” in the selection.

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Although relief pitchers Giovanni Carrara and Kelly Wunsch declined minor league assignments and elected to become free agents, both have expressed interest in re-signing with the Dodgers. The feeling is mutual.

“I absolutely would have interest in bringing them back,” DePodesta said.

The Dodgers made the moves to open two spots on the 40-man roster. Three other spots were opened last week.