Dodgers’ VP of Scouting Quits

Hired by a previous general manager and uncertain of his role in the new regime, Roy Smith resigned Thursday as Dodgers vice president of scouting and player development.

Smith, who had another year on his contract, made the decision during a meeting with General Manager Ned Colletti. Both men said the resignation was not forced.

“We sat and talked and it was the time to do it,” Smith said. “I felt like I needed a change. The way things were going, not that it’s wrong, but personally I felt it was time to move on.

“There were a lot of reasons. Ned was fine. He was great with me and we had a respectful talk.”

Colletti said he was surprised by Smith’s departure and does not plan to hire a replacement soon, if at all.

“I believed our relationship was solid,” he said. “A lot of what we accomplished, Roy was part of. I’m sad, but I can understand it.”

Smith, 45, was hired before the 2004 season by then-general manager Paul DePodesta, who wanted a seasoned baseball person to complement his own statistical-based background. Smith was assistant general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1999 to 2004 and pitched in the majors for eight seasons.

Under DePodesta, the scouts who file reports on other pro organizations reported to Smith. However, Colletti likes to talk directly to the pro scouts.

“Paul and Ned are different, and that was to be expected,” Smith said. “The job as an assistant is to fill in the blanks and play off that.”

Farm director Terry Collins, who resigned two weeks ago to become manager of the Orix Buffaloes in the Japanese Pacific League, also reported to Smith. The Dodgers are in the midst of choosing a successor for Collins, and Colletti and Smith recently conducted interviews with internal candidates John Shoemaker and Chris Haydock. Colletti also plans to interview more than one outside candidate.

Smith hopes to be a candidate for another job in another organization, although he said he has yet to put out feelers. “I’ll make some calls to friends,” he said. “I enjoyed my time with the Dodgers. The team is on the upswing.”

steve.henson@latimes.com