Trammell fired by Tigers; Detroit to interview Leyland
Soon after Alan Trammell was fired Monday morning as manager of the Detroit Tigers, Jim Leyland was en route to the Motor City as the leading candidate to replace him.
Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski planned to have interviewed Juan Samuel and Bruce Fields – both from Trammell’s staff – before discussing the opening with Leyland about 24 hours after the regular season ended.
“I am driven to move quickly because I think there could be a lot of interest in Jim Leyland,” said Dombrowski, adding his search could end as soon as today.
Trammell was fired after three seasons in which he failed to turn around a franchise without a winning record since 1993. The Tigers were expected to be close to .500, if not better, but fell short with a collapse toward the end of the season and finished 71-91.
“I thought we responded to everything well except for this last month,” Trammell said last week. “I think, looking back, it is fair to say that we hit a wall.”
The Tigers were 186-300 in three seasons under Trammell. The MVP of the 1984 World Series, who had one year left on his contract, did not return a message seeking comment Monday.
Mariners coaches Baylor, Price step down
Hitting coach Don Baylor and pitching coach Bryan Price have decided to leave the Seattle Mariners.
“I am sorry that Bryan and Don have decided to resign their spots, but I wish them nothing but the best in their future,” manager Mike Hargrove said.
The 56-year-old Baylor, former manager of the Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs, spent one season as Hargrove’s hitting coach. Price spent the past six seasons as the Mariners’ pitching coach under managers Lou Piniella, Bob Melvin and Hargrove. Price, 43, worked 18 seasons in the Seattle organization.
The Mariners were last in the A.L. West at 69-93 in their first year under Hargrove, an improvement of six wins from 2004.
Despite the free-agent additions of Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson, the Mariners hit an A.L.-low .256 with 130 homers and 699 runs.
“I have decided not to return as hitting coach so that I will be able to pursue other opportunities,” said Baylor, who managed the Rockies from 1993-1998 and the Cubs from 2000-2002.
Seattle’s starting pitchers had a 50-64 record and a 4.91 ERA, but the team’s bullpen was a surprise with a 19-29 record and a 3.60 ERA. Under Price, Mariners pitchers ranked among the major league leaders in four of six seasons.
“I have enjoyed my time here but, after 18 years, I think it is time for me to go somewhere else,” Price said. “For me to keep growing as a coach, I need to get out of my comfort zone and this is a way to do that.”
Third base coach Carlos Garcia, interim first base coach Mike Goff, bench coach Ron Hassey and bullpen coach Jim Slaton have been invited to return to Hargrove’s coaching staff next season. The team said Jeff Newman, who started the season as third base coach before an Achilles’ injury, won’t return.
Tracy out as Dodgers manager
Jim Tracy’s tenure as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers is over, one day after he finished his first losing season in five years with the team.
The Dodgers announced that Tracy and the team “mutually agreed to part ways.” Last year, Tracy guided the team to its first division championship since 1995, but the Dodgers finished 71-91 this season. It was the franchise’s second-worst season since moving from Brooklyn in 1958.
The 49-year-old Tracy signed a two-year contract in November that included a clause allowing him to opt out of the second year during a seven-day period that began Monday.
He made it clear to general manager Paul DePodesta that he wanted to return, and asked for an extension last month. His current deal would have run through the 2006 season. Owner Frank McCourt said any decision on Tracy’s future would be left to DePodesta.
Tracy said Monday night he was not offered an extension. He also did not opt out of the final year of his contract, meaning the Dodgers will pay him for next season if he doesn’t take another managing job.
“I was not fired,” Tracy said in a conference call.
Both he and DePodesta cited “philosophical differences” for their decisions.
A’s offer Macha new deal
The Oakland Athletics offered a new contract to manager Ken Macha, though it’s still unclear whether he will return for a fourth season in 2006.
Macha, whose A’s missed the playoffs for the second straight season, has said he is interested in returning to Oakland if the situation is right. He met with general manager Billy Beane to discuss the season and Macha’s future before departing for the winter.
Macha said last week he expected to know soon about his status with the club for next year. There are several managerial openings he might explore, including in Pittsburgh, where he lives.
“Dave Hudgens won’t return as the Oakland Athletics’ hitting coach next season, the club said.
Clearing the bases
Former All-Star outfielder Pat Kelly, who played for five different teams during a 15-year major league career, has died. He was 61. Kelly died Sunday in Baltimore from a heart attack. … Kenny Rogers will not return to the Rangers, who are cutting their ties with the pitcher best remembered this year for throwing a tantrum and shoving two television cameramen. Texas said in a statement the 40-year-old lefty will not be offered a contract for 2006. He will become a free agent. … Brewers bench coach Rich Dauer and third-base coach Rich Donnelly will not be back for their fourth seasons with the team.
Spin Williams is out as Pittsburgh’s pitching coach and the team’s other coaches, including former Spokane Indian Pete Mackanin, were told the team’s new manager will be allowed to hire his own coaches. … Left-hander John Halama, right-hander Antonio Osuna and catcher Keith Osik were released by the Nationals, who added three minor league prospects to their 40-man roster. … Mets closer Braden Looper had successful arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder and is expected to be recovered by spring. … Twins reliever Juan Rincon had successful surgery to clean up a bone spur in his right elbow.