Managerial Candidates

Stephen from the Eddie Kranepool Society must be pretty happy. The Mets list of managerial candidates has someone he has been vocal about them taking a look at.

Rudy Jaramillo, the Texas Rangers hitting coach is near the top of the list. Another leading candidate is White Sox third base coach Joey Cora. Jerry Manuel, Jim Fregosi, Don Baylor and Bobby Valentine are also on Minaya's list.

Jaramillo, in his ninth season with the Rangers, is respected for the job he has done producing an offensive juggernaut in Texas. He also has minor-league managing experience.

Cora, who played 11 years in the majors, was fired by the Mets after two seasons (2001- 02) managing at Rookie League Kingsport because he was not believed to be a great teacher. But Cora worked in the Expos' system under Minaya as manager for Class A Savannah in 2003 before joining the White Sox.

Minaya's relationship with Jaramillo began in Texas, and he could be considered for either manager or hitting coach.

Minaya said he plans to have his first interview next week.

also..

Minaya said he wants a manager he'd "like to grow with" over the next couple of years and that previous experience as a major-league skipper is not a necessity.

Minaya's influence will be felt in more places than just the manager's office, and it appears that superscouts Al Goldis and Bill Livesey could be bumped down the ladder. Among the candidates are two of the Diamondbacks' top scouts, Bryan Lambe and Sandy Johnson, both of whom were mentioned by name in Minaya's speech yesterday.

Previous experience as a major league skipper not necessary? Ok, how about Ken Oberkfell as the manager and Rudy Jamarillo as the hitting coach. Both can grow with the team and have experience with the younger kids that will start becoming the face of this franchise. Minaya's been on the job for a day and is shaking things up. Who can really be upset that the super scouts who had a big hand in the Kazmir deal are being bumped down the ladder? Minaya has gumption and is going to get things done. Already he's painted a direction for this team in terms of how it will be run and I like the news so far.