Mets Hard at Work as Offseason Hits Full Swing

Yankees coach Willie Randolph, Texas coach Rudy Jaramillo, and former major league manager Terry Collins were invited back yesterday for a second round of interviews by the Mets, who hope to hire a new manager this week.They were asked to meet with Mets executives tomrrow at Shea Stadium. Carlos Tosca and Jim Riggleman, the other two candidates who interviewed with new general manager Omar Minaya, were not invited back.Jim Leyland, who led Florida to its first World Series championship in 1997 and guided Pittsburgh to three division titles in the early 1990s, interviewed for the Philadelphia Phillies’ managerial position yesterday, and also plans to talk to the Mets later in the week.Another candidate for the job, former Mets second baseman Wally Backman, accepted a deal to manage the Arizona Diamondbacks yesterday.Backman was selected minor league manager of the year this season by The Sporting News after leading Class A Lancaster to the best record in the California League. It was his first year in the Diamondbacks’ organization.Backman, 45, was given a two-year contract with two team options. He takes over a franchise that lost 111 games last season, the 10th-most in major league history. Backman replaces Al Pedrique, who took over on an interim basis when Bob Brenly was fired in July.Also yesterday, the Mets declined a $15 million option on Richard Hidalgo and opted to pay the outfielder a $2 million buyout. Hidalgo then filed for free agency along with right-handers Kris Benson and Ricky Bottalico, lefthander John Franco, and first baseman Todd Zeile, who plans to retire.“We are open-minded to speaking to Richard about coming back next year,” Minaya said.Hidalgo, acquired from Houston on June 17, hit .228 with 21 homers and 52 RBIs in 86 games with the Mets. New York has spoken with the agent for Benson, obtained from Pittsburgh in late July. The Mets have said they would like to re-sign him.Franco,the 44-year-old team captain, probably won’t be asked back.***43 FILE FOR FREE AGENCYForty-three players filed for free agency yesterday,including Philadelphia left-hander Eric Milton, Chicago Cubs outfielder Moises Alou, Houston second baseman Jeff Kent, Arizona first baseman Richie Sexson, and Anaheim designated hitter Andres Galarraga.Also yesterday, right-hander Kevin Appier asked to be reinistated from the voluntary retired list by the Kansas City Royals and filed for free agency.A total of 170 players have filed, and up to 46 more are potentially eligible to file by the November 11 deadline.Right-hander Derek Lowe and catcher Jason Varitek led a parade of 10 Red Sox who filed for free agency yesterday, two days after they were honored in Boston following the team’s first World Series title since 1918.Shortstop Orlando Cabrera and backup catcher Doug Mirabelli also filed, along with right-handers Curtis Leskanic, Ramiro Mendoza, and Scott Williamson; left-hander Mike Myers; first baseman Dave McCarty and second baseman Pokey Reese.Leskanic filed after Boston declined a $1.25 million option, electing to pay a $100,000 buyout.Thirteen Red Sox have filed since Boston won the World Series last Wednesday, and three more are eligible, including Pedro Martinez.Three members of the NL champion St. Louis Cardinals also filed: second baseman Tony Womack, righthander Matt Morris and left-hander Steve Kline.Tampa Bay declined their option on Tino Martinez and will pay him a $1 million buyout. The Devil Rays, his hometown team, remain interested in re-signing the 37-year-old first baseman.The Devil Rays obtained Martinez from the Cardinals in a trade last winter and he hit .263 with 23 homers and 78 RBI in 138 games this year.

Mets Hard at Work as Offseason Hits Full Swing

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