M's let Rays talk to four coaches

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Devil Rays on Wednesday took another step toward constructing the framework of a coaching staff for new manager Lou Piniella.

Seattle spokesman Tim Hevly said the Rays contacted Mariners general manager Pat Gillick and were granted permission to speak with four coaches.

Tampa Bay asked to talk to bench coach John McLaren, bullpen coach Matt Sinatro, roving minor-league pitching instructor Chris Bosio and coaching consultant Lee Elia.

McLaren interviewed for the vacant managerial position in Seattle on Tuesday and Elia is scheduled to interview today.

Were the Rays to hire all four, with Bosio as a possible pitching coach and Elia as the hitting coach, spots would remain for a first- and third-base coach.

Billy Hatcher and Tom Foley, who were on the staff this season, remain under consideration for a spot on Piniella's staff in 2003.

Foley was third-base coach for former manager Hal McRae, and Hatcher worked as third-base coach until becoming McRae's bench coach in April 2001.

Hatcher and Foley interviewed for the Rays' managerial position and have been with the organization from the start. Hatcher, however, played under Piniella while with the Reds from 1990-92.

"He delegates a lot of authority to his coaches," Hatcher said. "He wanted coaches to be accountable and he likes for you to build a rapport with what area you're in and to do the job that they're paying you to do.

"It would be a great opportunity. I think it would be good if I get that opportunity because the only thing you can do is learn more and more from him."

The Mariners, meanwhile, interviewed former major-league managers Terry Francona and Jim Riggleman for their managerial vacancy, each spending about four hours with team officials. They were the third and fourth candidates interviewed, after McLaren and pitching coach Bryan Price.

Around the majors

PIRATES, TOP PICK AGREE: Pittsburgh can only hope Bryan Bullington shows as much patience and stamina on the mound as he did during contract talks.

The Pirates finally reached terms with the former Ball State right-hander, the first overall pick in the June amateur draft.

The Pirates also ended another lengthy contract fight when infielder Pat Meares agreed to drop a grievance in which he contended he was healthy enough to play in the major leagues.

The Bullington negotiations dragged out for five months as he sought a signing bonus comparable to the $5.15-million the Twins gave catcher Joe Mauer, the top pick in 2001.

The Pirates refused to budge off their offer of a $4-million bonus. The Rays gave $4.5-million to Virginia high school shortstop B.J. Upton, the second overall pick.

FREE AGENTS: The Indians today will begin efforts to re-sign first baseman Jim Thome in a meeting with the team's career home run leader and his agent, Pat Rooney, at Jacobs Field.

Cleveland owner Larry Dolan, general manager Mark Shapiro and other prominent front office members will participate.

Meanwhile, right-hander Roger Clemens declined to exercise the phantom $10.3-million player option in his contract with the Yankees. The five-time Cy Young Award winner gets the money anyway in the form of a buyout and becomes eligible for free agency.

Seventeen players filed, including first baseman Orlando Palmeiro, the first player on the world champion Angels to become a free agent.

Cardinals reliever Dave Veres filed after the team declined a $5.25-million option and gave him a $500,000 buyout. St. Louis would like to re-sign Veres for a lower price. Philadelphia declined a $1.75-million option on reliever Ricky Bottalico and will pay a $50,000 buyout.

PLAYER RATINGS: Boston outfielder Manny Ramirez became the first player in seven years and fifth ever to get a perfect score in the annual statistical rankings compiled by the Elias Sports Bureau.

Since the rankings were created by players and owners in the settlement of the 1981 strike, the only players to get 100s were Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly in 1987, Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken (1991), White Sox first baseman Frank Thomas (1995) and Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell (1995).

ASTROS: The team is holding ticket prices steady for the second time in three years.

CUBS: Former White Sox and Blue Jays left-hander Mike Sirotka agreed to a minor-league contract and was invited to spring training as a nonroster player. Sirotka, 31, has not pitched in the majors since his final season with the White Sox in 2000. ... Gary Hughes, a longtime scout and baseball executive, was hired as a special assistant to general manager Jim Hendry. Hughes, 61, has been in pro ball the past 36 years.

DODGERS: Brian Jordan, who hit .347 and had an NL-leading 30 RBIs in September to help keep Los Angeles in playoff contention until the final weekend, exercised his right to demand a trade.

CANADIAN LEAGUE: The fledgling Canadian Baseball League is searching for recruits in the Dominican Republic, and about 20 players attended tryouts. The league is scheduled to begin play in May.

-- Information from Times wires was used in this report.