Angels coach sees fit with Rays

By MARC TOPKIN
Published October 26, 2005

HOUSTON - As Devil Rays officials spent three hours Tuesday talking with Angels bench coach Joe Maddon about their manager's job, they moved forward - and backward - in their effort to add an experienced front office executive.

The Rays had a second informal conversation Tuesday with former Astros general Gerry Hunsicker and appear ready to begin more serious talks. But another top candidate was eliminated when the Yankees denied the Rays permission to speak with adviser Gene Michael.

Hunsicker is also considered a top candidate for the general manager's job in Philadelphia, but the Phillies seem to be moving slowly amid rumors they are waiting to see whether Brian Cashman returns to the Yankees.

Maddon is the seventh official candidate for the manager's job and would seem to be one of the most appealing given his experience (as a minor-league manager, major-league coach and stints as the Angels interim manager), reputation, communication skills and use of computerized data.

After reading the 47-page background packet the Rays e-mailed him and after meeting with team president Matt Silverman and baseball operations chief Andrew Friedman, Maddon said he felt strongly he was the right man for the job.

"It is something I really want," he said on a conference call. "What I am able to do and my background in baseball and the particular situation where Tampa Bay is today is a pretty nice fit.

"Personally, I don't want to go after any job. Hopefully I get my first job in a place I think is compatible. I think the skills that I have and based on the needs in Tampa, I think it's a pretty good fit."

Because Maddon never played in the major leagues, he said managing a young, developing team would be a good place to start. And he said he liked the idea of working for young executives and new principal owner Stuart Sternberg, especially after reading his philosophies in the e-mailed packet.

"In reading that, his management style and leadership and what he believes to be important to turning the situation around, I have to admit I agree with him," Maddon said. "It was amazing to read those words because I probably would have used those same words in describing different situations, so I was impressed with his outlook and how he perceives things."

The Rays are expected to complete the first round of interviews and cut the field as soon as they can arrange a meeting or telephone interview with former Rangers and Mets manager Bobby Valentine, whose Chiba Lotte team is playing in the Japan championships.

Other candidates are coaches Tom Foley, Billy Hatcher and John McLaren, Triple-A manager Bill Evers, former Tigers manager Alan Trammell and Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton.

Astros bench coach Cecil Cooper on Tuesday said he would like to be considered for the job as well.

Also:

The Rays received permission from Oakland to speak with director of player personnel Billy Owens, possibly about an assistant general manager's position. Owens, 34, joined the A's as an area scout in 1999 and has been in his present position for two years.

Top outfield prospect Delmon Young was named the Topps Minor League Player of the Year. Young, who was also named the top minor-leaguer by Baseball America, hit .315 with 26 homers and 99 RBIs at Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham.

YANKS MAKE OFFER: New York offered Cashman a three-year contract worth more than $5-million, and the team hopes he will decide in the next few days to stay.

Cashman, who made $1.15-million in the final season of a three-year contract that expires Monday, has not told the team of his intentions. Cashman and Yankees general partner Steve Swindal did not return calls.

Times staff writer Damian Cristodero contributed to this report, which also used information from Times wires.

[Last modified October 26, 2005, 00:45:19]