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Don Wakamatsu first finalist to interview for Rays manager's job

 
Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu is among three finalists to replace Joe Maddon as manager of the Rays. [Associated Press]
Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu is among three finalists to replace Joe Maddon as manager of the Rays. [Associated Press]
Published Dec. 3, 2014

ST. PETERSBURG — The process of hiring the Rays' next manager is moving toward a resolution by the end of the week.

Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu on Tuesday was the first of the three finalists to interview, spending most of the day talking with team officials, including principal owner Stuart Sternberg, on a variety of topics.

"I was thoroughly impressed with the group," Wakamatsu told the Tampa Bay Times afterward. "It was an in-depth interview, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to be part of it. They were really impressive."

Rays officials declined any comment on the process.

Wakamatsu, 51, has the most extensive resume of the candidates. He's the only one with any managing experience, having led the Mariners in 2009-10 before being fired in August of his second season with a 127-147 record.

Longtime major-league outfielder/DH Raul Ibanez, who played last season with the Royals, appears to be next in line for an interview, with Indians bullpen coach and Tampa native Kevin Cash the remaining candidate.

Assuming interviews are wrapped up Thursday, the Rays seem likely to announce a decision Friday or Saturday. That's because top team officials are scheduled to leave Sunday for San Diego where the winter meetings open Monday, with the new manager expected to join them.

Meanwhile, the Rays tendered contracts by Tuesday's midnight deadline to their six remaining arbitration-eligible players, shown with mlbtraderumors.com projected salaries: Pitchers Alex Cobb ($4.5 million), Jake McGee ($3.8M) and Drew Smyly ($3M); outfielders Desmond Jennings ($3.2M) and Matt Joyce ($4.9M); and infielder Logan Forsythe ($1.2M).

The six are now considered signed players, with their salaries to be negotiated or set (higher or lower) via arbitration.

With that projected $20.6 million in addition to the $50.8 million owed 10 players under contract and more than $5 million needed for 10 additional players (with Matt Moore to open on the disabled list), even at close to the minimum salary, to fill out the roster, the Rays' payroll would be in excess of $76 million. That would suggest more moves are coming, as Sternberg said it would be cut from last year's record $80 million.

Also:

• Plant High product outfielder Corey Brown signed a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training, per agent Tom O'Connell. Brown, 29, is a 2007 first-round pick who has played 39 games in the majors over parts of four seasons with the Nationals and Red Sox.

• Pitcher Michael Kohn, signed in October and designated for assignment last week, declined an outright assignment to Triple-A Durham and became a free agent.

Contact Marc Topkin at mtopkin@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Rays.