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NEW YORK - Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo interviewed with the Mets Friday, the second candidate to apply for the managerial opening since the firing of Art Howe. The 54-year-old Jaramillo met with general manager Omar Minaya, a longtime friend, and assistant GM John Ricco.
The Mets expect to interview Yankees bench coach Willie Randolph Monday and former Angels manager Terry Collins Tuesday, Minaya said.
"Omar and I know each other a long time," Jaramillo said. "There's a lot of trust between us. The big key is for the manager and general manager to work together and communicate."
Jaramillo just finished his 10th season in Texas. He reportedly turned down a 5-year, $2-million offer from the Rangers, who finished 89-73 in the AL West and hit .266. The Mets finished 71-91 in the NL East - their third straight 90-loss season - and hit .249.
FORMER YANKEE DIES: Johnny Sturm, the first baseman on New York's 1941 world championship team and the man credited by many with alerting the Yankees to a young prospect named Mickey Mantle, died of congestive heart failure at the age of 88.
Sturm hit .239 with three home runs and 36 RBIs in 124 games in 1941. In 1949, Sturm persuaded Yankees officials to take a look at Mantle. He later signed.
FORMER BRAVE ARRESTED: Otis Nixon was jailed after the company holding his bond from a previous arrest decided not to honor it because he missed a court appearance. Nixon was brought to Gwinnett (Ga.) County jail Thursday.
In January, he was arrested for allegedly threatening his bodyguard with a knife. He was released on $3,350 bond.
In February, the 45-year-old Nixon was arrested and charged with misdemeanor sexual battery for allegedly fondling a woman.
ATHLETICS: Oakland declined contract options on outfielder Jermaine Dye and left-hander Chris Hammond. Dye hit .265 with 23 homers and 80 RBIs last season. Hammond, acquired in an offseason trade with the Yankees, went 4-1 with a team-low 2.68 ERA.
D'BACKS: Rangers first base coach DeMarlo Hale became the eighth to interview for the manager position. GM Joe Garagiola Jr. said others might be interviewed before a short list is drawn up. "I'm not prepared to say we're done at this point," Garagiola said.
DODGERS: Los Angeles declined the option on right-hander Elmer Dessens, making him eligible for free agency. Dessens, who made $4-million this year, received a $300,000 buyout.
INDIANS: Cleveland declined to pick up the $5-million option on closer Bob Wickman's contract. Wickman, 36, could retire.
PHILLIES: Closer Billy Wagner and reliever Felix Rodriguez will be back. The Phillies exercised an option for Wagner that will pay him $9-million. And Rodriguez notified the Phillies that he will exercise his option. He would have been eligible for free agency.
TWINS: Minnesota declined the option on shortstop Cristian Guzman, making him eligible for free agency. Guzman, who would have made $5.25-million, hit .274 with eight home runs and 46 RBIs this season. Also, the Twins exercised their $750,000 option on catcher Henry Blanco.