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Why would Joe Torre stay?

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That’s really the question, isn’t it?

Why come back?

My father was one of those who like to say, when you’re struggling with a decision, take a piece of paper, list all the pros and cons and then simply give it a good, rational going-over.

Let’s see, reasons to stay: Money (averaging $4.3 million per season), still loves his job, doesn’t want to end career on sour note.

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Reasons to take a flier: Ownership a mess, no reason to believe roster will be seriously upgraded, is 70 and still has a daughter in high school, has already accomplished everything as a manager, has made his money.

I’m thinking, get outta Dodge.

Of course, pretty much everyone else is too. I mean, why all the suspense over his decision? If he was going to come back, he could have announced it anytime.

If he wasn’t, and thought it might impact the team, then he could hold off any announcement until the team is eliminated. Which is his upgraded plan.

So all signs point to Joe Torre calling it a managerial career … which is not the same thing as knowing he will walk off into some upper-management sunset.

Torre was still taking bullets for the team during the final days of Manny Ramirez, which is what a guy who was planning on coming back would do.

There is also the possibility of Torre leaving the Dodgers and going on to manage elsewhere. I don’t believe he’s planning this as his exit strategy, but he has wisely not closed any doors either. He loves L.A. and doesn’t really want to move his daughter again.

After having spent all season with Torre, I would love to tell you that I know exactly what he’s going to do, but I can’t. My gut tells me there’s no way he comes back. Of course, my gut told me Cher would never show up at the MTV Video Music Awards wearing a 20-year-old body suit.

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If Torre doesn’t believe this team has a legitimate chance to win it all, I can’t see him returning. And I can’t see him believing it has a chance.

-- Steve Dilbeck

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