Mariners' GM list being readied

Mariners president Chuck Armstrong said Thursday his list of general manager candidates is shaping up, despite having a potential front-runner, Brian Cashman, removed from consideration.

The Mariners had asked for permission to speak to Cashman, but he signed a contract extension Wednesday to remain as the Yankees' GM.

Armstrong has spent the week calling major-league clubs seeking permission to talk to various candidates, and starting the process of setting up interviews.

"I like the way the list is coming together," he said. "We've had a few disappointments, but for the most part we'll get to talk to the people we want to."

It appears the Mariners will have another internal candidate besides Lee Pelekoudas, who has been serving as interim GM since Bill Bavasi was fired on June 16.

According to sources outside the organization, the Mariners plan to talk to Bob Engle, their highly regarded vice president of international operations. Engle has been with the M's since 2000, when he was hired as a senior adviser to then-GM Pat Gillick.

Engle had spent the previous 24 seasons working under Gillick in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, serving as scouting director, assistant GM and senior adviser. During his tenure, the Jays won two World Series titles.

Armstrong declined to discuss the candidate list. However, with Cashman out of contention and the Padres letting it be known they will not grant permission to talk to GM Kevin Towers, it will probably be heavy on assistant general managers.

That list could include Kim Ng of the Dodgers, Rick Hahn of the White Sox, Tony LaCava of the Blue Jays, David Forst of the A's, Peter Woodfork of the Diamondbacks, Dan Jennings of Florida, Al Avila of Detroit, Jed Hoyer of the Red Sox and Tony Bernazard of the Mets. Two other names to tuck away: Jack Zduriencik, who directs amateur scouting for the Brewers, and Jerry DiPoto, director of player personnel for the Diamondbacks.

According to sources in the Cleveland organization, the Indians' highly regarded assistant GM, Chris Antonetti, plans to remain with the Indians.

John Hart, who built the Indians' powerhouse of the 1990s, could emerge as a candidate, as well as former San Diego and Detroit GM Randy Smith, currently the Padres' director of international scouting.

Another potential candidate with strong credentials is former Dodgers GM Dan Evans, who left a Mariners advisory position after last season to become president and CEO of West Coast Sports Management, a Southern California firm that represents pro baseball players.

A dark horse is current Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin, who might be disenchanted with the decision of Brewers owner Mark Attanasio to fire manager Ned Yost with 12 games to play. If Melvin were to become available, he would no doubt be a front-runner.

Armstrong said some candidates won't be available for interviews until their teams are finished with postseason play. Armstrong's goal remains to have a GM in place by late October, though baseball has a policy discouraging major announcements during the World Series, which could go as late as Oct. 30.

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