Maddon talk kicks off last week of search

By MARC TOPKIN
Published November 9, 2005

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - There are many similarities between Joe Maddon and John McLaren, the finalists for the Devil Rays managerial job: Neither played in the big leagues, both managed in the minors, both have been long-time, well-respected major-league coaches, neither has managed in the majors beyond fill-in duty.

Now the Devil Rays are focused on the differences.

With Bobby Valentine all but officially out of the competition, the Rays are planning to pick between Maddon and McLaren and make an announcement by Nov. 15.

Maddon, who has spent the past 12 seasons on the Angels staff, had his second interview Tuesday and said the two hour-plus session with Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and senior vice president Gerry Hunsicker went well.

"I thought it was good," Maddon said in the lobby of the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort. "We had a really nice, comfortable meeting. We exchanged ideas and thoughts. I feel good about it."

McLaren, who spent 14 seasons as a coach on Lou Piniella's staffs, including the past three as the Rays' bench coach, flies in for his sessions today.

"On paper, their backgrounds are somewhat similar," Friedman said. "But obviously they both have somewhat unique skill sets that they bring, and we feel that both are great candidates. We think we are confronted with a great situation. We think both guys, in their own ways, can be outstanding for our club."

One of the biggest differences would seem to be where they have been.

Coming from the outside, Maddon would be another fresh face in an extensive makeover of the organization, further distancing the Rays from their past.

Coming from the inside, McLaren would offer some continuity and institutional knowledge, which could be extremely valuable as the top decisionmakers and at least some coaches will be new.

Friedman, though, said it would not be a major factor.

"There's so many more important things," he said. "There are pros and cons to both sides, but to us it's such a minor issue. It's much more about their personalities and the skill sets that they bring to the party, irrespective of whether they've been in our organization before or not."

For Friedman, the second interviews are a chance to get specific about things such as potential members of the coaching staff, philosophies and background.

For Hunsicker, who was hired last week, it is the first chance to meet the candidates.

"We talked about some particular philosophies on things," Maddon said. "They threw some things back at me and we talked about them some more. We had a really good exchange. I'm always open to new ideas."

The Rays also were still considering Valentine. But they are expected soon to formally end those talks, given that he is still managing in Japan and that it seems unlikely the Rays would offer anything close to what he is making.

CLASSIC RAYS: Final rosters have not been set, but at least four Rays could be part of the inaugural World Baseball Classic next spring: Jorge Cantu (Mexico), Jesus Colome (Dominican Republic), Carl Crawford (United States) and Pete LaForest (Canada). The Italian team has inquired about Rocco Baldelli, but he is unlikely to play as he is recovering from elbow surgery.

Piniella is among the candidates to manage the U.S. team, with Buck Martinez and Davey Johnson believed to be possibilities.

MLB officials are working to finalize details of the tournament, which will be similar to soccer's World Cup. One of the major remaining issues is determining whether the Cuban team will participate. Cuban defectors, such as the Rays' Danys Baez, would not be part of the squad.

Rosters are expected to be announced starting in December. Disney's Cracker Jack Stadium will be the only Florida site.

[Last modified November 9, 2005, 00:40:17]