As Alou Wavers, Leyland Is Ruled Out

Concerned that Felipe Alou might not pursue their vacant manager position, the Dodgers increased their efforts to hire Jim Leyland on Sunday.

Dodger General Manager Kevin Malone spoke with Leyland by phone at his off-season home in Pittsburgh, in an attempt to persuade the former Florida Marlin manager to interview for the job.

Leyland had said previously he wasn’t interested in becoming the next manager of the Dodgers. But Malone made another run at Leyland, considered among the major leagues’ best managers, because Alou is strongly considering remaining with the Montreal Expos, Expo sources said.

In his most recent conversation with Malone, Leyland, who recently resigned from the Marlins, reaffirmed he won’t be moving to Los Angeles.

“Our talk went well,” Malone said. “We talked the other day and then again [Sunday], and Jim told me that he was flattered he was even being considered, but he said he’s not interested in moving to the West Coast.

“He’s proven himself, and he’s at the point in his career where he can pretty much pick and choose. He has some other options, and I think that’s what he’s looking at right now.”

Leyland is close to agreeing to a multiyear contract to manage the Colorado Rockies. Colorado officials are expected to meet with Leyland at Pittsburgh this week to finalize the details on a three-year, $4.5 million deal.

The recent interest in Leyland--who guided the Marlins to last season’s World Series championship--by the Dodgers and Detroit Tigers has spurred Colorado officials into stepping up their efforts.

Because Leyland is coveted by many organizations, sources said Colorado might be willing to increase its offer to $5 million over three years. That would match the contract of Tony LaRussa of the St. Louis Cardinals--currently the game’s highest-paid manager.

“It’s fair to say, that as far as the Dodgers are concerned, that door is closed,” Malone said in reference to Leyland. “I totally understand Jim’s decision, and I respect the way he handled this.

“A lot of guys would have used us to create more interest from other teams, or as leverage to increase an offer they have on the table. I’m really glad he operates that way, because you don’t want to be used, or waste time, in a situation like this.”

Meanwhile, the Dodgers are still without a manager.

Alou remains atop Malone’s list to succeed Glenn Hoffman, but recent events in Montreal have stirred concern that Alou might not leave.

Alou told the Journal de Montreal that Expo officials had promised him he would be permitted to interview with other clubs. But as of Sunday, Alou had not received written permission to speak with Malone, his longtime friend and former Expo colleague.

The Dodgers had hoped to receive clearance from Montreal last week. Club sources said they expect to receive permission from Montreal this week, possibly as early as today.

But some believe the Expos have delayed granting permission in an attempt to persuade Alou to remain with the struggling club. The organization is embroiled in an unstable ownership situation, and Alou provides stability and credibility in the community.

Sensing that Alou was frustrated, Montreal launched a preemptive strike last week, offering Alou, who is under contract for the 1999 season, a multiyear extension.

The package is similar to the three-year, $1.8-million contract under which Alou is currently working. It provides an option for Alou to remain with his employer of more than two decades, and finish his managerial career, if he chooses, with the Expos.

Because of tampering rules, Malone cannot comment on the Alou situation. But he spoke generally about what is occurring in Montreal.

“It’s a very difficult time for the people there because of all of the uncertainty surrounding the franchise,” said Malone, the Expos’ general manager for two seasons. “As you can expect, there are many things that are occupying people’s time there.

“In a situation like this, with the politics involved, you have to be patient. You can’t expect things to happen quickly.”

Expo General Manager Jim Beattie is expected to return to Montreal from a fishing trip this week. Beattie and Alou, who is in the Dominican Republic, are scheduled to speak Wednesday to try and move the situation forward.

Beattie hopes that Alou will accept the contract extension, thwarting the Dodgers’ efforts. Before leaving for the Dominican Republic last week, Alou told friends he was struggling to make a decision. That was after Beattie applied a full-court press at Alou’s off-season home in Miami.

Malone is in a holding pattern regarding Alou. He doesn’t want to pursue other candidates before Alou makes a decision, but he can’t wait much longer.

Team President Bob Graziano and his Fox Group superiors want a high-profile manager, and they are counting on their new general manager to deliver. Davey Johnson remains a backup possibility, but Malone is keeping his fingers crossed about Alou.

“I have to be prepared if certain situations don’t work out,” Malone said. “So while I might have to wait on one candidate, I’m doing some work with other ones.”

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John Van Ornum, a Dodger scout, won’t return to the club next season.

Van Ornum, a longtime member of the baseball-operations staff, had sought new duties in the organization. Malone declined his request and Van Ornum was not offered a position for next season.