So the manager doesn't even matter.

The win-loss record also doesn't matter:

"Don Mattingly could not have done anything to keep Zack Greinke, Hanley Ramirez or Chad Billingsley healthy."

I am not completely sure that's accurate.


"He probably could not have done anything to get Matt Kemp out of his rut (though for what it’s worth Kemp did homer Monday night, only his second of the year after offseason shoulder surgery)."

I am not completely sure that's accurate, either.


"And Mattingly can’t make Brandon League pitch well… though arguably he could and should stop using him in key situations."

I am not completely sure any of this is accurate.

Maybe Mattingly is unable to motivate his players. Maybe they don't practice enough. Maybe they don't play intelligently. Maybe Mattingly doesn't optimize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses.


"Like his mentor Joe Torre, Mattingly is a more or less competent tactician who really shines as a clubhouse leader. He treats his players well and, by all accounts, he has their respect. That can’t be measured, and clearly it is not helping the Dodgers win any games just at the moment, but it shouldn’t be written off entirely either. Like the vast majority of employees in all fields, baseball players will tell you that a good manager and a good workplace environment do matter."

Joe Torre is more or less a competent tactician?

I pick "less."


If the managers matter so little, I'll take the job at half the pay. Use the remaining money to shore up the bullpen.