M's Zduriencik making final check before naming manager

Jack Zduriencik is very close to naming the Mariners' next manager — so close that he is now devoting his time to thoroughly vetting his choice.

That process likely will delay the naming of a new manager until at least Wednesday as Zduriencik continues to conduct background checks that he hopes will eliminate any embarrassing post-hiring revelations.

"What I did today and plan to do [Tuesday]," he said, "is continue to touch base with dotting i's and crossing t's, in terms of background and history, so there are no surprises in the final selection."

What he is trying to avoid, no doubt, is any semblance of the Wally Backman debacle in Arizona after the 2004 season. Hired by the Diamondbacks on Nov. 1, Backman was fired on Nov. 5 after revelations of legal and financial problems surfaced.

Zduriencik noted that so far, "it's all been positive information. I haven't received any negative information."

The Mariners general manager interviewed seven finalists — Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills and third-base coach DeMarlo Hale; Diamondbacks third-base coach Chip Hale; Cardinals third-base coach Jose Oquendo; White Sox bench coach Joey Cora; A's bench coach Don Wakamatsu; and San Diego Class AAA manager Randy Ready.

While not tipping his hand, Zduriencik said he was "real close" to having settled on one person.

"All of them are real good," he said. "When it comes down to 1, 1a, b double-plus, or whatever, I want to make sure there's not anything that comes up that surprises you, where you have to step back and it creates a dilemma you're not counting on.

"Before I say, 'This is my guy,' there does need to be a little more background work. Minimal, but I do need some more work."

Zduriencik said he is calling people who have crossed paths with the finalists, but only made one effort to call a candidate. That attempt had been unsuccessful when he talked to reporters in the early evening.

Zduriencik said he didn't expect to name a manager today.

"If I'm satisfied with everything, Wednesday would be fine," he said. "If we went into Thursday, that would be fine. I'd rather do it sooner than later, but I can't do it until I have all my questions answered."

M's make more moves

The Mariners continued their reorganization on Monday, promoting Pedro Grifol to director of minor-league operations and hiring Tim Tolman to be coordinator of minor-league instruction.

In addition, they announced that Greg Hunter, formerly director of player development, will be reassigned within the organization. Zduriencik said he expects Hunter to remain with the Mariners in the pro scouting department.

Grifol, who turns 39 on Nov. 28, has been the M's coordinator of minor-league instruction for the past three years. He also managed the Everett Aqua Sox for three seasons (2003-05), and crossed paths with Zduriencik while playing in the Mets' organization.

"When I was with Milwaukee, I tried to get the Brewers to hire Pedro about three days later than the Mariners hired him," Zduriencik said.

Tolman, 52, spent the past two seasons as the Washington Nationals' third-base coach and spring camp coordinator. Before that, he was Cleveland's minor-league field coordinator for four seasons, and spent 14 years in Houston's player development system.

Hunter, a native of Kirkland, has spent 12 years in the Mariners' player development department following a three-year career as an infielder in Seattle's minor-league system.

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