Anderson Is Now in Line if Leyland Rebuffs Angels

The Angels Tuesday made a lucrative offer to Jim Leyland, the hottest commodity in baseball’s managerial market, that includes Disney Co. stock options and other incentives that “had Jimmy’s head reeling,” according to a family friend.

While the Angels--along with the Florida Marlins, Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox--are aggressively seeking Leyland, a new name has moved high on the Angels’ list of candidates: Sparky Anderson.

Anderson, who was thought to be satisfied with his new career as a broadcaster, said Tuesday night that he would return to the dugout if “things were right.” And there are indications the Angels would be very interested if they fail to entice Leyland with a four-year deal believed to include a base salary of about $1 million a year with incentives and stock options that make it much more attractive.

“I’ve never talked to anybody, but if things were right, I’d come back,” Anderson said. “I’ve never lost the enthusiasm to manage. The fact that I’m happy at what I’m doing now and have said so, I guess I hurt myself from anyone asking me. But I’ll never stop loving managing.”

Anderson said it would be unfair to comment about managing the Angels because he hadn’t talked with them, but said he has always admired Gene Autry, thinks the “front office and Disney people are great,” and believes the Angels are “a young team with a lot of potential.”

Leyland has been linked to the Marlins’ job since announcing Sept. 17 he would leave the Pirates. But he denied published reports that he agreed weeks ago to manage Florida, which reportedly offered $1.1 million a year, only slightly more than the $1 million a year he was making in Pittsburgh.

White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, a longtime friend of Leyland’s, made his pitch in person Monday night in Pittsburgh. Chicago’s offer is believed to be for either three or five years--whichever Leyland prefers--and close to $2 million a year. Reinsdorf met with Leyland even though the White Sox still have Manager Terry Bevington.

Red Sox General Manager Dan Duquette, severely criticized for firing popular Manager Kevin Kennedy on Monday, will make his pitch to Leyland today.

Either the Chicago or Angel proposal would likely make Leyland the highest-paid manager in major-league history.

“The offer is unbelievable. “ said the friend who asked not to be identified. “He had no idea the offers would be so good. He really is confused right now.”

Leyland refused to talk about any contract specifics, and both Angel President Tony Tavares and General Manager Bill Bavasi declined comment. Leyland admitted that “money is a factor,” but said he is more concerned with taking over a team committed to winning.

The Angels, White Sox and Marlins all have reportedly promised to aggressively pursue free agents, with Florida reportedly guaranteeing it would sign at least two big-ticket free agents this winter.

“The financial packages are flattering, there have been some very, very impressive offers,” Leyland said. “But I’m not going to go to one team and say, ‘This team is offering X amount of money.’ This isn’t going to be a cattle auction.”

Marlin General Manager Dave Dombrowski, who first worked with Leyland in the White Sox organization in the 1980s, also talked with Leyland again Tuesday.

“It’s very difficult to speculate on what our chances or anyone else’s chances are,” Marlin President Don Smiley said. “I have no idea how we measure up.”

The Angels can’t be sure where they stand with Leyland, but a source said they feel better about their options now that Anderson is in the picture.

The Angels have also asked for and received permission to speak to Texas Ranger third-base Coach Jerry Narron about the manager job, but Narron said he won’t pursue the position until the Rangers have completed the playoffs.

Times staff writer Mike DiGiovanna and the Associated Press contributed to this story.