Don Mattingly "Deep In Talks" To Join New York Yankees' AL East Rival

Don Mattingly and the American League East. It only makes sense that the former Miami Marlins manager and New York Yankees legend would land back in the American League East, doesn't it? But shockingly, with a Yankees rival?

Don Mattingly deep in talks to join Blue Jays' coaching staff https://t.co/lmeRqwCGXl pic.twitter.com/gM0wAqHjRJ

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) November 29, 2022

The New York Post has learned that Mattingly and the Toronto Blue Jays are "deep in discussions" for the former AL MVP and 6-time Yankees All-Star to join the Toronto coaching staff as bench coach.

Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman of The Post report that an announcement could come as early as this weekend. 

The 61-year-old Mattingly managed the Marlins for seven years, but stepped down after the 2022 season. He said he has "fielded inquiries from multiple teams. But he said one club in particular was 'really interesting to me.'" Heyman and Sherman have discovered that that team is the Blue Jays.

The 14-year Yankees first baseman has never been to a World Series as a player or manager (he was the dugout boss for the Los Angeles Dodgers before Miami), and he's interested in joining an organization that he feels is on the cusp of making it to the Fall Classic. 

The Blue Jays finished second to the Yankees in the AL East this season, but lost their Wild Card Series in two straight to the Seattle Mariners. Still, with a loaded roster and back-to-back 90+ win seasons, the Jays apparently have enough to interest Donnie Baseball.

We'll keep an eye on this throughout the week and into the weekend.

Photo: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports