PHILADELPHIA - After spending two seasons as the team's special assistant and adviser, Charlie Manuel made this recommendation to the Phillies: Hire me as the new manager.
Manuel, 60, was the second candidate in two days to interview for the vacant managerial position, less than two weeks after Larry Bowa was fired. Manuel has been an instructor and a scout for the Phillies at the major- and minor-league levels.
"I know the team and I know a lot about it," Manuel said Wednesday.
That could be a boost for Manuel, who will join the team for organizational meetings this weekend in Florida.
Manuel had a 220-190 record with the Indians and led them to the AL Central championship in 2001 but was fired after a 39-47 start in 2002. Manuel wanted the security of a long-term contract, but as the Indians entered a rebuilding mode, general manager Mark Shapiro wasn't ready to make that commitment.
"They were going one way and I was going the other," he said. "I did not go in and demand a contract, a four- or five-year deal. At the same time, I did want to know exactly where we stand."
Manuel said he didn't think about managing again once he joined the Phillies. But teaching hitting and evaluating got him thinking he'd like another crack at running a major-league team.
Manuel's name was often the first mentioned in reports this season.
Rays release Cummings
The Devil Rays began the process of reshaping their roster by releasing outfielder Midre Cummings, who hit .278 with two homers and seven RBIs in 22 games after spending most of the season at Triple-A Durham.
The Rays have one opening on their 40-man roster but soon have to reinstate Eduardo Perez and Jesus Colome from the 60-day disabled list, so more moves are pending.
Also, Rays catcher Toby Hall will participate Saturday in the first Tampa Bay Area Buddy Walk, which is designed to promote acceptance and awareness of people with Down Syndrome.
The walk starts at 9:30 a.m. at Largo's Central Park, which is at the intersection of East Bay Drive and Missouri Avenue.
METS BREAK UP STAFF: General manager Omar Minaya, in his second week since becoming GM, announced that only pitching coach Rick Peterson will return in his current position.
Don Baylor will not be back as hitting coach but is still a candidate to take over for Art Howe, who was fired after two years managing the Mets. Baylor also is a candidate to be the Phillies manager.
Former Blue Jays manager Carlos Tosca has been interviewed for the vacant manager's position, and the Yankees gave Minaya permission to talk to longtime coach Willie Randolph.
ANGELS: Second baseman Adam Kennedy is scheduled for surgery Friday to repair torn ligaments in his right knee, leaving his status for spring training in question. Kennedy has a complete tear of the ACL and a partial tear of the MCL.
BLUE JAYS: Pitchers Bob File, Sean Douglass and Mike Nakamura and infielders Howie Clark and Jorge Sequea were outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse. Catcher Bobby Estalella became a free agent after declining his assignment following reinstatement from the disabled list.
CUBS: Chicago selected the contracts of left-handers John Koronka and Will Ohman from Triple-A Iowa and outrighted outfielder Nic Jackson to Iowa.
INDIANS: Cleveland purchased the contract of left-hander Scott Sauerbeck from Triple-A Buffalo and added him to the 40-man roster. Sauerbeck spent the season rehabilitating his left shoulder after surgery in February.
ORIOLES: Right-hander Jason Grimsley had Tommy John surgery on his pitching elbow and will be sidelined for six to nine months.
Times staff writer Marc Topkin contributed to this report.
