Dodgers GM declines to directly address Don Mattingly’s future

MILWAUKEE – General Manager Ned Colletti said Don Mattingly has “done fine” managing the Dodgers, but refused to directly address mounting speculation that Mattingly could be fired in the near future.

“My perspective hasn’t changed,” Colletti said.

Earlier this month, Colletti told Times columnist Bill Plaschke, “I’m confident we’re going to turn it around, and I’m confident we have the right people.”

Asked about media reports speculating that Mattingly could be dismissed this week, Colletti said, “I really don’t read very much. I don’t have time to read a whole lot.”

Would it be incorrect to say that Mattingly could be fired this week?

“You know what?” he said. “My perspective hasn’t changed.”

Is the perspective that you believe the team will turn its season around and … ?

“I’m not talking about it,” Colletti interrupted.

Of Mattingly’s performance as manager, Colletti said, “I think he has done fine. I think he’s kept it steady. Players still have to play. A dangerous sign is if people stop playing, if they stop playing hard. Sometimes I see us playing almost too hard. But you have to look at our performance as a team on the field. Have we hit well with runners in scoring position? Have we scored enough runs? Have we played enough good defense? Have we made proper pitches all the time? It’s an easy way out to look at one person.”

Colletti disagreed with the perception that the Dodgers lack fire.

“I see us playing hard,” he said.

Asked about how a manager can affect player performance, Colletti said, “It’s more on the player than on anybody.”

Pointing to how many of the Dodgers’ key offensive players are in the primes of their careers, Colletti maintained the season could still be salvaged.

“It’s not like we’re depending on players whose best days are behind them,” he said.