Dodgers: No plans to decrease payroll; Torre could have future in front office

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General Manager Ned Colletti said this evening that the Dodgers don’t have plans to cut payroll for next season, and that Manager Joe Torre has shown interest in extending his contract by a year and moving into a front-office role in 2012.
Of the Dodgers’ payroll situation, Colletti said, “A lot of it depends on how the winter unfolds with revenue and different things along those lines. If we see good signs, it goes up. If we don’t see good signs, it probably doesn’t go up. It also depends on the players we’re talking about.”
Asked if payroll could decrease, Colletti replied, “Not at the moment.”
Colletti said his discussions with Torre about an extension for 2011 are in the “early stages.” Asked the role he envisions for Torre in the front office, Colletti said, “Depends on how much time he wants to spend on it.”
Also from Colletti:

• The Dodgers are ‘unlikely’ to sign anyone at the winter meetings this week.
• A FoxSports.com report about the Dodgers shopping George Sherrill is inaccurate.
• The Dodgers would move Juan Pierre in the right deal. If they trade him, they would want to get pitching in return.
• President Dennis Mannion’s increased power – in addition to business operations, he will now oversee baseball operations – won’t affect the baseball operations department. Colletti called the move “a formality,” noting that Mannion has attended baseball operations meetings over the last year and maintained a healthy dialogue with Colletti.
• Of the Dodgers’ free agents, Colletti has talked to Brad Ausmus the most.
• The Dodgers view pitching prospects Scott Elbert and Josh Lindblom as starters. They are more open to using James McDonald as a reliever.

-- Dylan Hernandez in Indianapolis