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The list of seven finalists for the Seattle Mariners managerial job didn’t come together quite as smoothly as general manager Jack Zduriencik would have liked, but then nothing in baseball is as simple as it seems.
One of the candidates originally on Zduriencik’s list was Boston pitching coach John Farrell, a man whose name came up again and again as Zduriencik talked to baseball executives and scouts last week.
The problem? Farrell declined the opportunity even to interview.
Late Monday night, he issued a statement through the Red Sox:
“I have withdrawn my name for consideration by the Seattle Mariners as they search for a new manager,” Farrell said. “I wish them well as they move forward. My decision is based on family reasons and being committed to the Red Sox organization. The working relationship shared with Theo and Tito and the resources provided by John Henry, Tom Werner, and Larry Lucchino create a situation that is both challenging and rewarding.”
So there.
And another of the Mariners candidates – former second baseman Joey Cora – all but forced himself onto Seattle’s list with his dogged persistence.
According to sources in Chicago, where Cora has coached under Ozzie Guillen, Cora asked for and got recommendations for the job from Guillen and White Sox GM Ken Williams.
But he didn’t stop there.
One White Sox source said Cora had team owner Jerry Reinsdorf call the Mariners with a personal appeal for an interview.
The Mariners insist Cora was a viable candidate, anyway, and will interview him today.
Farrell’s withdrawl – and Cora’s full court press – aren’t all that important now that Zduriencik has his list of candidates.
It’s just a little behind the scenes action that’s always intriguing and never dull.
COMMENTS:
If he doesn't like the field after interviewing them, Zduriencik can always pursue 'veteran' managers.
If new coach get hired do you think the Seattle Mariner Organizeation will seek some vetran staff for the the new coach or will the coach get have say who he wants on the staff or will say Z might push for Yost on the staff?
I think I like the idea of not going for a retread. Give somebody a chance that hasn't been there before and see what they can do. Bob Melvin was one of those guys, and he actually did pretty well coming into a pretty difficult situation. It is very hard to follow a legend and have any success, but for the most part he did pretty well.
Some teams have been afraid to get rid of a manager for fear that they wouldn't succeed, and they were happy with "good enough". Then they have their hand forced, get a young guy, and end up doing really well. One that sticks out to me was Cito Gaston with the Blue Jays. They were seemingly stuck with average Jimy Williams, and so hesitant to give Cito his shot. Once he got it he just went and won 2 world series was all.
Ozzie Guillen and Terry Francona are two other good examples.
One thing that is disconcerting is that if you read between the lines on Farrell it seems pretty clear that he thinks M's ownership is a bunch of clowns. He uses words like "committed" and "working relationship". It isn't even like I wanted the guy coming here, but it does give me a reason to pause. Hopefully Mr. Z can build something special here and get us back to that winning culture we experienced under Lou and Gillick. They were real difference makers.
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