MIAMI -- Yankees bench coach Joe Girardi remains a front-runner for the job of Marlins manager after he had an encouraging interview with Florida officials in New York on Wednesday.

 

"We met for a couple of hours," said Girardi's agent, Steve Mandell. "It was a nice meeting today."

 

According to Mandell, Girardi also spoke with Devil Rays officials about that team's managerial position.

 

"It was more of a first opportunity to get together and sit down," said Mandell of his discussions with Tampa Bay. A more formal interview with the Devil Rays is likely to take place, possibly on Sunday.

 

After meeting in New York with Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, general manager Admin Beinfest and other team officials, Girardi and Mandell headed to their homes in Chicago to review their options.

 

There is growing speculation that Girardi is the top candidate for the Florida job, although Mandell termed where both sides are now as "in the discussion phases." They plan on continuing the dialogue over the next couple of days.

 

After Jack McKeon stepped down as Marlins manager after the season ended on Oct. 2, Girardi emerged as one of the leading candidates. Over the past 10 days, he did a great deal of research into the Marlins' situation.

 

According to sources, Girardi has sought the opinions of a couple of former Marlins: Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee, a key performer on the Marlins' 2003 World Series championship team, and Yankees pitcher Al Leiter, who started the season with Florida before being traded in July to New York.

 

Girardi's now had two face-to-face sessions with Loria, as the two met informally last Thursday in New York.

 

The Girardi interview came a day after the Marlins had interviews with Braves third-base coach Fredi Gonzalez and A's third-base coach Ron Washington.

 

As of late Wednesday afternoon, the Marlins had not had any follow-up discussions with Gonzalez, who is highly recommended by Braves manager Bobby Cox and general manager John Schuerholz. Gonzalez has been Atlanta's third-base coach for the past three years, after serving in the same capacity with the Marlins from 1999 to 2001.

 

Born in Havana, Gonzalez has 10 years of experience managing in the Minor Leagues, nine of those in the Marlins' system.

 

The Marlins also are believed to have interviewed former Mariners pitching coach Bryan Price about managing the club. Price has known Beinfest for a number of years, dating back to when the GM was in the Mariners organization. Both attended the University of California at Berkeley.

 

There is a chance that the Marlins will set up an interview with former A's manager Ken Macha and Lou Piniella, who recently stepped down as manager of the Devil Rays. Florida also is believed to be setting up an interview with Tampa Bay coach Tom Foley. On Monday, another Tampa Bay coach, Billy Hatcher, met with officials.

 

The next Marlins manager is expected to retain first-base and infield coach Perry Hill. Pitching coach Mark Wiley said on Wednesday that he is hopeful of returning for his second season.

 

Wiley was offered the job as Mariners' pitching coach, but he turned it down to remain closer to his family in Palm Beach County.

 

Should Wiley return, the Marlins' pitching staff would maintain continuity. The 2006 rotation is expected to include Dontrelle Willis, a strong Cy Young Award candidate, and Josh Beckett, along with rookie Jason Vargas.

 

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...t=.jsp&c_id=fla

 

I guess the marlins really are considering everyone......though I believe in the end it will be between Girardi and Gonzalez

Not to say that I'm certain in this being bad, but he sure didn't ask two guys who exactly fell in love with Beinfest during their stay here in Leiter and Lee.

 

Just a hunch, but I see the Marlins offering the job to Girardi, having him turn us down for an en masse "Yankee south" in Tampa along with Cashman, Stottlemeyer and Zimmer, and we end up with either Macha or Gonzalez.

Let's see what Lee and Leiter say about their old organizations.

 

I'm surprised they haven't had a followup with Fredi as of yet.

Not to say that I'm certain in this being bad, but he sure didn't ask two guys who exactly fell in love with Beinfest during their stay here in Leiter and Lee.

 

Just a hunch, but I see the Marlins offering the job to Girardi, having him turn us down for an en masse "Yankee south" in Tampa along with Cashman, Stottlemeyer and Zimmer, and we end up with either Macha or Gonzalez.

that sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me.

 

let's hope you're right.