GLENDALE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre is suspending talks on a contract extension, saying he doesn’t want it to become a distraction with opening day so soon.

“We’ll wait until later on in the year,” Torre said. “I mentioned that to Ned. I’ll have a better grip of what I want to do. The last thing I want is to be a distraction. I don’t want it to be talked about.”
When spring training began, the 69-year-old Torre confirmed he was interested in adding another year to his current three-year deal that expires at the end of the 2010 season.
When Torre signed with the Dodgers before the 2008 season, he intended to retire after two years. But the Dodgers advanced to the NLCS both of those seasons and Torre elected to honor the rest of the deal.
His extension would likely have him manage in 2011, then move into an advisory role for the club.
“I still have to decide what I want to do after managing ends,” Torre said. “We’re both interested in doing something. But it depends how much I want to work, and I don’t know.”
When Torre departs, hitting coach Don Mattingly is believed to be in line to be his successor. Mattingly, who has no managerial experience, has been running the team during spring training games.