As speculation continues to build regarding Jim Leyland’s intentions, the New York Mets have invited previously interviewed candidates back for further interrogation, writes Newsday’s Marty Noble.
While discussing the other candidates, Minaya said, “I’m curious to see what happened today in Philadelphia,” a reference to Leyland’s interview with the Phillies. Minaya isn’t sure if Leyland’s interest in returning to the dugout was general or limited to the Phillies.
Minaya and Leyland talked during the World Series and it is understood they agreed that if Leyland was interested in the Mets’ job, he would call. Leyland is under contract to the Cardinals as a scout.
“I will talk to Omar in the morning if he wants to,” Leyland said last night. “I don’t know how much interest I have in them and I don’t know how much interest they have in me.
“But we should talk.”
Minaya said he will meet again with Randolph, former Astros and Angels manager Terry Collins and Rangers batting coach Rudy Jaramillo tomorrow at Shea Stadium.
Not invited back were Carlos Tosca, the deposed Blue Jays manager, and Jim Riggleman, the former Padres and Cubs manager who most recently served as a coach with the Dodgers.