Seattle Mariners to discuss a number of managerial candidates

The operative word around the Mariners' beleaguered headquarters these days is "vet" — and in this context, it doesn't refer to an experienced ballplayer.

We're talking vet as a verb, defined by Webster's as "to evaluate for possible approval or acceptance."

In the wake of Bill Bavasi's recent firing as general manager, team president Chuck Armstrong has begun the process of vetting potential GM candidates.

And now that the Mariners, as of Thursday, are in the market for a manager as well, they no doubt are assessing the field for that position, too.

The next general manager will presumably have a big say in that decision, but that doesn't mean that the M's front office won't be evaluating possible candidates while Jim Riggleman runs the team the rest of the season.

Here are some names that the Mariners could consider, beyond Riggleman, who gets 3-½ months to make his case:

• Bobby Valentine, manager, Chiba Lotte Marines. A highly intriguing name, one that would bring instant buzz to an organization that desperately needs a jump-start.

Valentine would probably be expensive, considering his lucrative contract managing the Marines, whom he led to the 2005 Japanese title. But the M's would be getting someone who knows how to mold winners. One person who has closely followed Valentine's career said, "He would be a tireless goodwill ambassador for the club."

Valentine actually finished his career playing briefly for the Mariners in 1979, and is said to be well-regarded by Armstrong. It's possible Valentine could draw interest from the Mets for a second go-round, but that train has probably left the station.

• Joey Cora, White Sox bench coach. Sure, Cora would be a sentimental favorite in Seattle, where the vision of him crying on the bench after the 1995 ALCS loss to Cleveland still endears him to fans.

But Cora also has strong credentials as Ozzie Guillen's right-hand man in Chicago; they won a World Series together in 2005. Cora has managerial experience in winter ball, and is believed to covet the Mariners' position. He could also be a Mets candidate.

• Ron Roenicke, Angels bench coach. He interviewed for the position when the Mariners hired Mike Hargrove in 2004. After watching the Angels kick their butts year after year, the Mariners might well want to try to absorb some of that Mike Scioscia magic.

• Ken Macha, former A's manager. Macha has been doing broadcasting since getting fired by the A's in 2006 — right after winning his second AL West title in four years. He reportedly turned down overtures from Seattle to be Hargrove's bench coach.

It ended ugly for Macha in Oakland, where he experienced what GM Billy Beane termed "a disconnect" with some players. But keep in mind that Macha, who managed extensively in the minors, has never had a losing season as a manager at any level; had a .568 winning percentage in Oakland, second-highest in club history; and took them to the ALCS in his last season for the first time since Tony La Russa.

• Brad Mills, Red Sox bench coach. Boston manager Terry Francona has long wondered why Mills has not gotten a managerial job, considering the Red Sox's recent success.

And speaking of the Red Sox, two other members of Francona's staff warrant mention: pitching coach John Farrell, who turned down a chance to interview for the Pittsburgh job last year, and third-base coach DeMarlo Hale, who managed nine years in the minors.

• Bryan Price, Diamondbacks pitching coach. The former M's pitching coach has long been regarded as managerial timbre, and got an interview with Seattle when the M's hired Bob Melvin — whom he followed to Arizona. Price, like Farrell, would have to overcome an industry prejudice against hiring pitching coaches to manage, and his lack of experience at the position.

• Chip Hale, Diamondbacks third-base coach. He's an under-the-radar name, but well-regarded in baseball circles. Hale was a successful minor-league manager at Class AAA Tucson, and learned the game playing under Tom Kelly and Ron Gardenhire in Minnesota.

• Terry Pendleton, Braves hitting coach. The former National League MVP has long been considered a hot managerial candidate, but may also be Bobby Cox's anointed successor in Atlanta.

• Buck Showalter, former Yankees, Diamondbacks and Rangers manager. Has a tendency to alienate people wherever he goes, but helped get the Yankees and Diamondbacks to the brink of championships, and turned Texas from a 91-loss team his first year to an 89-win team his second.

• Willie Randolph, former Mets manager. The body is still warm, but Randolph has already expressed a desire to manage again. He got the Mets within a game of the World Series in 2006, but the way last year ended, and this one began, hurts his cause.

• Other names to mull over — and there will be dozens tossed out in the coming months — include Sam Perlozzo, the Mariners' third-base coach and former Orioles manager; Bob Brenly, who guided Arizona to the 2001 World Series title; Jim Fregosi, many-time major-league manager; Don Baylor, a former NL manager of the year and Mariners hitting coach; Pete Mackanin, who shined last year as the Reds' interim manager; and Jose Oquendo, Cardinals coach.

One more intriguing wild-card name: Ryne Sandberg, Hall of Famer and pride of Spokane, now managing, and reportedly well, in the Midwest League with the Peoria Chiefs, a Cubs Class A team.

Now there's a vet to vet.

Larry Stone: 206-464-3146 or lstone@seattletimes.com