Dodgers, Mattingly mutually part ways

Don Mattingly is out as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Mattingly and the front office mutually agreed to part on Thursday as the team that bounced the Dodgers from the postseason, the New York Mets, prepared to represent the National League in the 2015 World Series.

The fact the Dodgers aren't there — and haven't been since 1988 — was a factor in the team's decision to move on from Mattingly, who survived only one year under the new hierarchy headed by Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.

Mattingly led the Dodgers to three straight playoff appearances but the team's total payroll over those seasons was $800 million.

The Dodgers lost in the first round of the playoffs in 2014 and 2015.

A year ago, the failure was almost identical and the front office was overhauled as a result. There are likely to be even more significant changes this winter as Friedman continues to implement his vision.

After being eliminated by the Mets, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez was asked if he had confidence the same group of Dodgers could finally get over the hump in 2016.

"If this is the exact same team next year, yeah," he said. "But I doubt it's going to be the exact same team."

The Dodgers won just one playoff series in those three postseasons under Mattingly's leadership (the 2013 National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves).

The Dodgers' shortcomings in 2015 — a rotation that dropped off severely behind Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, a thin bullpen and an offense that ran hot and cold — were not necessarily Mattingly's fault.

Yet, the Friedman-led front office showed no hesitation to move players either and that figures to happen again this offseason.

Most prominently, Greinke can exercise an opt-out clause in his contract and become a free agent. Greinke, a NL Cy Young Award candidate, would be forfeiting the final three years and $71 million of his deal with the Dodgers. On the free agent market, however, he would almost certainly be able to double the total amount.

The Dodgers would have a large void to fill in an already thin starting rotation if Greinke leaves.

Changes are also likely in the infield where veteran second baseman Howie Kendrick and shortstop Jimmy Rollins will be free agents but young shortstop Corey Seager is poised to step in after an impressive showing in September and second baseman Jose Peraza was acquired from the Braves.

"It's going to be a long offseason, figuring out personal stuff and team stuff," outfielder Andre Ethier acknowledged.