Colletti said he first spoke with Torre about four days ago.

“I went into it hopeful, curious — probably more curious than hopeful,” Colletti said. “By the time we got done talking, I was more hopeful than curious.”

Teams are generally directed to interview at least one minority candidate for open managerial jobs. The Dodgers were granted an exemption by commissioner Bud Selig, however, because of a strong track record on minority hirings.

Earlier this week, the Dodgers acknowledged they talked to Girardi about potentially replacing Little. Colletti said he did so because he was aware Little was leaning toward stepping down.

Don Mattingly, Torre’s bench coach this year, is set to join his mentor in Los Angeles as hitting coach. Mattingly lost out to Girardi for the Yankees’ managerial job.

Mattingly’s son, Preston, is a minor leaguer in the Dodgers’ organization.

“We don’t have a coaching staff yet,” Colletti said. “We’re talking to a bunch of former players and coaches. We’re not quite there yet.”

Mattingly could be in line to manage the Dodgers when Torre retires. Considering his age, that probably won’t be too many years down the road.

“Joe is 67 years old. We don’t expect Joe to manage a very, very long time,” Colletti said, adding it would make sense to “groom somebody under Joe’s direction” the way Lasorda was groomed under Alston.

Alston managed the Dodgers from 1954-76, and Lasorda was their manager from 1977-96. Torre is the team’s sixth manager since Lasorda stepped down.

Torre completed a $19.2 million, three-year contract with the Yankees this season. He made $7.5 million this year — the highest salary among major league managers — and the Yankees offered $5 million for next year with an additional $3 million in performance bonuses.

“Joe Torre is one of the most respected men in the game of baseball,” McCourt said. “As a player, a broadcaster, a manager and in his life off the field, Joe is a winner through and through.”

McCourt said on the season’s last day that Little would return as manager next season. In resigning Tuesday, Little insisted it had nothing to do with reports that the Dodgers were talking to Torre.

With his track record, Torre seems destined to follow Alston and Lasorda into the Hall of Fame.

“There’s definitely a locker waiting for him in Cooperstown, that’s for sure,” Lasorda said. “I’ve known him for close to 30 years and we’ve been good friends.”

Don't miss this on MSNBC.com Pass it on: Sons of infertile men may be next The eight biggest Olympic marketing debacles Reality show judges range from wise to wacko Cosmic Log: Is this your jetpack? Forget your inhibitions: World's sexiest islands

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Handicapping the Halladay chase Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay DeMarco: Red Sox should take measured approach CTB: A prediction — Lackey will sign with Yankees   CTB: Indians unlikely to deal Wood this offseason   CTB: Mets could be interested in Royals’ Guilllen Complete list of free agents Circling the Bases: Blogging on news, rumors, buzz SCORES, SCHEDULES, STANDINGS, STATS Latest baseball videos Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: