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Zduriencik's list features seven first-timers
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The next manager for the Seattle Mariners it seems will be a first-time big-league manager and likely someone a bit more obscure than we all had expected.
New M's general manager Jack Zduriencik had a small phone briefing this afternoon with a handful of reporters. He outlined his search and provided his list of seven candidates. They are:
- Joey Cora, the White Sox third base coach
- Chip Hale, the Diamondbacks third base coach
- DeMarlo Hale, the Red Sox third base coach
- Brad Mills, the Red Sox bench coach
- Jose Oquendo, the Cardinals third base coach
- Randy Ready, manager of San Diego's AAA affiliate, Portland
- Don Wakamatsu, the A's bench coach.
None of those have Major League managerial experience even though Zduriencik has said that he wanted a guy with experience, among other factors. He later amended that to say he was open to bench coaches, pitching coaches or minor-league managers.
"It's not by design (no former managers),'' Zduriencik said. "I've had extensive conversations with managers that have managed one, two, and in one case, three times before. I am open to anybody. I've narrowed it down. They come from winning organizations. They have good track records. They've been successful as managers or coaches. This group initially I thought was very intriguing.''
Asked if this is the final list, he fudged. He said that it may be that he could add one or two candidates. But I think this is the final countdown. I don't think a guy like Bobby Valentine or Ned Yost will be added. He has already told Jim Riggleman he's not being considered and hasn't talked to Willie Randolph.
Zduriencik has no problem with a first-year guy. He says "every great manager has to start somewhere.''
Whoever it is, Zduriencik expects that guy to bring energy, direction, leadership and the ability to handle a 25-man Major League staff. "But we want (then amended it to 'like') to win right now,'' he added. "We want to put the best team on the field with the best manager in place.''
Zduriencik said he talked for about 2 1/2 hours today with Brad Mills. He'll interview Joey Cora and Chip Hale tomorrow. He hopes to have all the interviews completed by the weekend. He added that he may make his choice after only one round of interviews or he may ask one or two back for a second round.
It doesn't surprise me that Riggleman was discarded. I'm hearing that he rarely he talked or sought the advice of his coaches over the final two months. I don't think Cora is viable. He's got some communication issues. I had wished Valentine had been considered. He was my choice.
As for a front-runner, only Zduriencik is in position to determine that. It really comes down to the interview process, how he believes the candidate would deal with the significant challenges this team brings. If I had to pick a top three, I'd say Mills, DeMarlo Hale and Ready.
Zduriencik also was asked if any groundwork was laid for trades at the recent GM meetings. He indicated that he wasn't sure.
"A lot of people asked questions,'' he said. "A lot of them like the players on our team. But more than anything the discussions were from the curious vantage point. I had some direct conversations with other GMs. Does it have legs? I don't know. That's to be determined but there were certainly inquiries.''
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