Joe Torre has resigned from his post as MLB Exec VP/Baseball Operations effective immediately after less than 11 months to pursue an ownership opportunity with the currently for-sale Dodgers. Torre took the league job last February after exiting as Dodgers manager following the '10 season. In his short time with MLB, Torre helped reorganize the baseball operations department, bringing Senior VP/Operations Peter Woodfork and VP/Baseball Operations Kim Ng, who will now handle department functions on an interim basis with Senior VP/Standards & On-Field Operations Joe Garagiola Jr. until a replacement for Torre is named. Torre, long a favorite of many baseball writers and skilled with the media, also served as a valuable spokesperson for MLB Commissioner Bud Selig with regard to on-field matters. The resignation avoids a conflict-of-interest for Torre as he seeks the Dodgers. "I understand his desire to pursue an opportunity in Los Angeles," Selig said in a statement. "Joe has been a life-long friend and I know that will continue in the future. While I will miss having him in the office, I have the utmost confidence in Joe Garagiola, Kim and Peter." Torre is aligned with L.A. real estate magnate Rick Caruso in a developing, high-profile scramble for the Dodgers that could also include Basketball HOFer and businessman Magic Johnson, former MLBer Steve Garvey and Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban, among others, in competing groups. Initial bids for the team are now due Jan. 23, 10 days later than first scheduled. Torre's status on Selig's Special Committee for On-Field Matters, of which he is also a member, is unclear. Also undetermined is whether Torre might return to the MLB job should the Caruso-led group not prevail in the Dodgers bidding. Other potential candidates for the top MLB baseball operations job include recently retired Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and former Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail.
