Torre, 67, has been widely tipped as the front runner for the job since Grady Little's resignation from the Dodgers Tuesday.

"When you look at (Torre's) resume, what he's done and the market he's done it in, you have to start there," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti told the team's official Web site (www.losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com).

"But we do not have an agreement. In the last 72 hours, I can't believe what I've been watching. I've seen more inaccuracies than I can ever remember."

Although Colletti said he first spoke to Torre about the position "in the last two or three days", other candidates were being considered.

"We are in the process of compiling a list and seeing if they have interest and seeing if they're under contract and getting permission to talk. It may be a short list."

Torre was linked with the Dodgers after turning down a one-year offer earlier this month to return for a 13th season as Yankees manager.

POPULAR FIGURE

A popular figure in New York where he had been baseball's highest paid manager, he steered the Yankees to four World Series titles and into the playoffs in each of his 12 seasons at the helm.

Torre was paid $7.5 million last season in the final term of a three-year deal, more than double the next highest paid manager in the major leagues, Lou Piniella of the Chicago Cubs at $3.5 million.

He ranks eighth in baseball's career list with 2,067 victories and has won a record 76 post-season games.

Torre's widely anticipated move to the Dodgers has already sparked speculation that free-agent third baseman Alex Rodriguez and bench coach Don Mattingly will follow him from New York.

Little, 57, stayed two seasons with the Dodgers, making the playoffs in 2006 and finishing fourth in 2007, but reports from within the club said he had lost control of the players and would not be brought back for the final year of his contract.

He left the Dodgers after posting a 170-154 record (.525)

Formerly one of baseball's glamour franchises, the Dodgers have struggled in recent years and have not won the World Series since 1988.