LOS ANGELES -- Reports that emerged from New York indicate the Dodgers have targeted former Yankees manager Joe Torre to replace Grady Little.

A Dodgers spokesman said the club had no comment on the situation. Little could not be reached for comment.

The Journal News of New York's suburban Westchester County, where Torre lives, reported on Tuesday morning that the Dodgers have decided to dismiss Little and replace him with Torre, according to two sources.

The paper said that Torre is expected to receive a three-year contract. That report followed one on Monday by the New York Post, which said that the Dodgers were interested in hiring Torre.

For the time being, Little remains manager of the Dodgers, and Torre acknowledged that in an interview Monday with talk-show host David Letterman, who asked whether he might manage the Dodgers or Angels, who are managed by Mike Scioscia.

"Well, the Dodgers have a contract, I mean, a manager," Torre replied during his "Late Show with David Letterman." appearance. "The Angels have a very good manager."

Torre went on to say: "That's a bad question to ask. I know what's been rumored. The local paper today is talking about going to LA. There has been a time or two that something that has been in the newspaper hasn't been true."

The hiring of the 67-year-old Torre would give the Dodgers a public-relations victory after a disappointing fourth-place finish in 2007. Torre, who rejected a one-year, $5 million offer plus incentives from the Yankees two weeks ago, reportedly would accept a three-year deal for less than $15 million from the Dodgers. Torre is rumored to be eager to return to managing and prove he doesn't need the richest payroll in baseball to win.

According to the Post, the Dodgers were negotiating to buy out Little from a contract for 2008 guaranteed at less than $1 million and an option for 2009. Owner Frank McCourt and general manager Ned Colletti said when the season ended that Little would return next year. Colletti credited Little for the progress made by the Dodgers' younger players.

But in the wake of the team's late-season collapse and reported clubhouse turmoil, there has been internal debate about the manager.

Little's laid-back reputation took a hard hit when veteran Jeff Kent criticized the attitude and approach of the team's young players, interpreted as confirmation of a clubhouse rift that developed as the organization's youth movement jeopardized the playing status of veterans. Little later said the 2007 season was the toughest of his 34-year career. In four seasons of Major League managing, Little has never had a losing record and has reached the postseason twice.

Torre has managed 27 years for four Major League teams, the past dozen years with the Yankees. He never reached the World Series until he managed the Yankees and won four world championships there, but none since 2000. The Yankees finished second in the AL East in 2007 for the first time since 1997.

Torre was the American League Manager of the Year in 1996 and 1998. He previously managed the Braves, Mets and Cardinals. His overall winning percentage is .539. His win percentage excluding the Yankees years was .470 and those teams finished first once in 15 seasons.