Tampa Bay Rays Wiretap

Schmidt Interviews For Rays Position

Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt joined the growing list of candidates for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' vacant manager's job, emerging from an interview Friday optimistic about the prospect of getting the position.

The former Philadelphia Phillies slugger described himself as probably a longshot before his meeting with club officials Matt Silverman and Andrew Friedman, who are heading the search for Lou Piniella's replacement.

Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt is in the running for his first major league managerial position.

"I would move off that [stance] a little bit and say I have as good a chance as anybody else. ... I don't think I hurt my chances," Schmidt said.

Via ESPN

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Girardi Gets Second Interview In Tampa

New York Yankees bench coach Joe Girardi met with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for the second time Sunday to discuss the team's vacant managerial opening.

Girardi, who has also interviewed with the Florida Marlins, met with Devil Rays executives Matt Silverman and Andrew Friedman in New York. He also talked with the club about the position last Wednesday.

Tampa Bay, which bought out the final season of Lou Piniella's contract, has an interview scheduled Monday with Atlanta hitting coach Terry Pendleton.

Via ESPN

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Piniella May Choose Booth In 2006

Lou Piniella is having so much fun with his postseason TV gig that he's considering spending the 2006 season in the booth.

"I might be doing this next year," Piniella told The Associated Press on Saturday before working the Fox Sports broadcast for Game 4 of the AL Championship Series at Angel Stadium. "It's not for sure -- nothing's for sure. I like it. I'm enjoying this."

Piniella parted ways with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays earlier this month after three difficult seasons as manager. He has hinted he might take a year off before returning to the dugout -- though he certainly might change his mind once October is over and has time to fully think things through.

Via ESPN

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Trammell Interview For Tampa Job, Calls Club A Sleeping Giant

Former Detroit manager Alan Trammell thinks he'd be a good fit to lead a young, improving team like the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

``In my opinion, it's a sleeping giant,'' Trammell said Friday after interviewing for the opening created last month when the Devil Rays agreed to buy out the final season of Lou Piniella's contract.

Trammell, fired last week after managing the Tigers for three seasons, met with Devil Rays executives Matthew Silverman and Andrew Friedman for more than four hours.

Via AP

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Rays Get Permission To Interview Girardi

New York Yankees bench coach Joe Girardi was given permission Saturday to interview for the Devil Rays' managerial opening.

"They're a young team," Girardi said, referring to the Devil Rays. "They have kids coming. It's a chance to win."

Besides Girardi, the Devil Rays could also be interested in Bobby Valentine, the New York Post reported. The ex-Mets manager is currently managing the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan.

Tampa Bay agreed to let manager Lou Piniella out of the final season of his four-year contract. Stuart Sternberg took over Thursday from Vince Naimoli as the Devil Rays' controlling owner and immediately fired general manager Chuck LaMar.

Via ESPN

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