Tampa Bay received permission today to talk to Lou Piniella after agreeing on potential compensation with Seattle. The specifics of the compensation package were not revealed, although it is thought to involve major league players. Meanwhile the A's have withdrawn the Mets' permission to speak with Art Howe, so Howe will almost certainly stay in Oakland through the end of his contract, which expires after the 2003 season. Consequently, New York is expected to continue negotiations on compensation with the Mariners.

With Oakland retaining Howe, Ken Macha is once again in play. Reports leaked that the Brewers had a three-year contract offer out to Macha, but Milwaukee firmly denied that they had made a formal offer to anyone. In addition to Macha, Bob Melvin, Ned Yost, and Willie Randolph, the Brewers interviewed Cecil Cooper. Cooper possesses no managerial experience. Following his retirement, Cooper spent several years as a player agent before joining the Brewers as their Director of Player Development. He served in that position from 1997-1999 before becoming a Special Assistant to the GM. Cecil also worked as a roving minor league hitting instructor in the Milwaukee organization and served as their bench coach this season following the managerial change. Cooper also interviewed for the position at that time. He hasn't been overly enthusiastic about the thought of managing or coaching, but he's commented that after watching so much go wrong with the organization, he'd like to be in a place to do things right. I think that unless he intends to spend some time honing his managerial skills, he should stick to the front office work he previously appeared to prefer.

So far the Mets have interviewed Macha, Randolph, Terry Francona, and Chris Chambliss. Francona received his managerial opportunity from 1997-2000 with the Phillies. While he managed in the minors prior to winning the Philadelphia job, he was young for a manager and might be able to try again after a few years spent learning how to correct his mistakes. However, he treated his pitchers horribly and shouldn't be given another post until he's apprenticed under someone who understands proper pitcher care. He served as the bench coach in Texas this season following a year as the manager of the US World Cup team.

Chambliss spent 9 years as a major league hitting coach for the Cardinal and Yankee clubs. New York fired him following the 2000 season due to differences between him and several players. Chambliss then took a job as a triple-A manager for Florida's affiliate in Calgary; he had four previous seasons of minor league managerial experience from 1989-92. This past season he worked as a roving hitting instructor in the Phillies' minors. I like the 53-year-old's credentials a lot more than many managerial candidates. Although he's spent far more time as a coach than as a minor league manager, he has significant experience in both areas. I certainly wouldn't mind seeing him receive an opportunity to manage a big league club, though I doubt the Mets will go in this direction.

Seattle bench coach John McLaren appears to be the front-runner to take over the Mariners' position from Lou Piniella. Fortunately, he also seems highly qualified. His background includes nine seasons of winter ball managing in addition to 8 years of minor league managerial experience. Additionally, his credentials include 17 seasons as a major league coach, the last 10 of which he spent with Seattle, including six as bench coach. Just for good measure, the 51-year-old also spent three years as a scout and played professionally for seven seasons as a catcher without reaching the majors.

By comparison, fellow candidate Bryan Price, Seattle's pitching coach, has no experience outside of pitching. After 10 seasons in the Mariners' organization, including 8 years as a pitching coach at various levels and two seasons as minor league pitching coordinator, Price moved up to the major league staff. He seems very qualified for his current position, but if he wants to manage, he first should look into obtaining experiences in other areas of baseball. However he's only 40 so he has plenty of time to broaden his horizons. Price also likely deserves credit for reforming Piniella with regards to his pitcher care, as prior to a few seasons ago Lou was near the top of the list of pitcher abusers.

Dan Rohn, the third internal candidate, managed Seattle's triple-A affiliate this past season. At 46, Rohn has 8 years of minor league managerial experience. He's also spent a few seasons as a coach in the minors, though he never served as a major league coach. Rohn played professionally as an infielder for over 10 years but only reached the majors in three seasons. I think he's a good candidate to take over from McLaren as bench coach, but he should probably receive a little more seasoning before taking his shot at a major league managerial position. However, I do like him better than all of the candidates who've only spent time as coaches.

While they're pushing to acquire Piniella, the Devil Rays have interviewed at least three people in addition to Macha and reportedly plan to interview many more. Tampa bench coach Billy Hatcher was the first to interview for the position. Hatcher has been with the organization for seven seasons. Following his 12-year major league playing career as an outfielder, Hatcher became a roving instructor in Tampa's minors two years before their major league team began playing. He then spent a season coaching at A+ prior to joining the major league coaching staff in 1998 as the third base coach and then moving to bench coach when Hal McRae took over as manager. I like his connection to the team, but the 42-year-old lacks minor league managerial experience. If Piniella goes elsewhere, I really hope Chuck LaMar interviews Fredi Gonzalez.

Tampa third base coach Tom Foley also interviewed for the position. Foley replaced Hatcher as third base coach when Hatcher became the bench coach. He also began working with the organization before their first major league season, serving as field coordinator from 1996-1999 immediately following the end of his 13-season major league career as an infielder. Foley worked as director of minor league operations for the Devil Rays between his coordinator position and joining the major league coaching staff. His managerial experience is limited to one season of Rookie league managing and one season of managing in the Arizona Fall League. Given he's spent most of the years since the end of his playing career in front office positions, I think Foley should log a few more seasons as a minor league manager before attempting a major league managerial job, though the 43-year-old again looks better than candidates with no managerial experience.

The third interview went to 46-year-old Yankee first base coach and outfield instructor Lee Mazzilli. Following a 14-season career as a major league outfielder and first baseman, Mazzilli spent some time away from baseball, which included a role in Tony Danza's TV movie Dead and Alive: The Race for Gus Farace and a stint in the Off-Broadway musical Tony & Tina's Wedding. He also was the commissioner of the independent Northeast League in 1995. Prior to joining the Yankees in 2000, Mazzilli spent three seasons managing in their minors. I think he's considerably more qualified than fellow Yankee coach Willie Randolph, but I'd like him to either spend some time as a bench coach or manage another year or two in the upper minors before taking a job as a major league manager.