Rays fill staff with Bosio, two others

ST. PETERSBURG -- Chris and Suzanne Bosio already had found a new neighborhood, met with the principal at their daughter's new school and reserved the moving vans.

Then life, and three months' worth of planning a move from California to Wisconsin, changed with a phone call.

"Hey, big guy, how ya doin'?" new Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella asked a couple of weeks ago in a call to his former pitcher. "What do you think about being my new pitching coach?"

A special assistant pitching coach with Seattle the past three seasons after an 11-year career with the Brewers and Mariners, Bosio was stunned and flattered.

"I was like, 'Wow! What an opportunity,' " he said.

Turns out, it was one Bosio couldn't let pass.

The Rays announced Monday that the 39-year-old was hired, along with Mariners bench coach John McLaren and bullpen coach Matt Sinatro, to complete Piniella's coaching staff.

Tampa Bay hired hitting coach Lee Elia away from the Mariners last week, and Tom Foley and Billy Hatcher were retained from last season's Rays staff. Foley will continue to coach third base, but Hatcher moves from bench to first-base coach. All are signed through the 2004 season.

"I think it's a teaching staff and a working staff," general manager Chuck LaMar said. "It's a very enthusiastic staff and one Lou feels extremely comfortable with."

Bosio, who had a 94-93 record in 309 major-league games from 1986-96 and pitched a no-hitter against the Red Sox in 1993, is the only new coach without major-league coaching experience.

"He'll still have some things to learn because this is his first year of being a major-league pitching coach," LaMar said. "But I think his expertise not only on how he went about his business as a player but how I think he can convey that to young pitchers, will have an immediate impact."

Bosio inherits a pitching staff loaded with talented young arms but one that ranked last in the American League in ERA last season and could take on a different look before spring training.

Starting pitchers Tanyon Sturtze, Paul Wilson and Ryan Rupe along with closer Esteban Yan are arbitration-eligible, and Piniella has said he would like a couple of veteran late-inning relievers before next season.

"I'm eager for this challenge," Bosio said. "I want these pitchers to reach as far as they possibly can. Once you're satisfied as a player, as far as what you've accomplished and where you're at, I think you're dead emotionally.

"I want to keep these guys reaching and jumping while pushing them to the limits to see what they're capable of."

McLaren and Sinatro have strong ties to Piniella.

A catcher with the Braves, A's, Tigers and Mariners from 1981-92, the 42-year-old Sinatro has spent the past eight seasons as Mariners bullpen coach.

The 51-year-old McLaren has been on Piniella's staff as a bench, bullpen and third-base coach since 1992 and is considered the manager's right-hand man in the dugout.

"We'll get this thing turned around," said McLaren, who like Elia was interviewed for Piniella's old job in Seattle. "It's going to take time, but we know what it takes to be a winner.

"And I know what Lou wants. He's a very demanding manager, but he's very fair. Working with him all those years you just know what needs to be done."

GM MEETINGS: While his staff spent Monday afternoon at the Arizona Fall League in Phoenix, LaMar remained in Tucson where the general managers' meetings are taking place. He planned to meet with several clubs regarding personnel.

"These are more exploratory-type of discussions than anything else," LaMar said. "You just try to keep the discussions going with those teams where you think there's a fit."

At the meetings, GMs will discuss an age requirement for bat boys in response to a near-accident involving 3-year-old Darren Baker, son of then-Giants manager Dusty Baker, during the World Series.

BOSOX START OVER: Having been jilted by A's general manager Billy Beane, Boston is continuing its search for a new GM.

Beane reportedly was offered about $2.5-million a year to take the Boston job. He makes about $400,000 annually with the A's and said he did not ask for a raise.

"For 24 hours, to think I took the choice not to have (pitchers Tim) Hudson, (Mark) Mulder and (Barry) Zito, that's a fool," Beane said. "I was never really gone, but I'm so glad I'm back."

FREE AGENTS: Andy Pettitte conditionally filed for free agency while he waits to learn if the Yankees exercise his $11.5-million option for 2003.

The 30-year-old left-hander, 13-5 with a 3.27 ERA in a season twice interrupted by elbow pain, has a contract that calls for the Yankees to notify him of their decision by Friday.

Giants closer Robb Nen decided to stay put, exercising his $8.6-million option.

Boston agreed to a contract with knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, but Arizona declined a $2.75-million option on right-hander Mike Fetters and Los Angeles turned down a $1.2-million option on catcher Chad Kreuter.

Also filing were Cardinals left-hander Chuck Finley and Astros right-hander Doug Brocail.

CUBS, BAKER MEET: GM Jim Hendry and Dusty Baker met in Arizona to discuss Chicago's managerial vacancy, with the former Giants skipper considered the favorite for the job. "I want to talk to them about the minor leagues, the day games, the city, the prospects, the expectations," Baker said.

JAPAN SERIES: Barry Bonds homered again for the major-league all-star team, their only runs in an 8-2 loss to their Japanese counterparts. Bonds crushed a two-run homer in the first inning at Fukuoka Dome to give his team the lead, but Japan rallied and took a 2-0 lead in the seven-game series.

OBITUARY: Jack Gould, a senior vice president of the White Sox since 1981, died at his home in Chicago after an extended illness. His age was not disclosed.

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