Finley Tries to Draw Interest From Others

Free-agent pitcher Chuck Finley made his second visit in three days to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Dana Point Tuesday, and this one, unlike Sunday’s, wasn’t for breakfast. Nor was it to visit the Angels, whose period for exclusive negotiating rights to the left-hander expires Thursday.

Finley met with officials from several teams, including the Cleveland Indians, but the Angels were not on his agenda. “I’ve got to entertain offers from other teams,” Finley said, “because I don’t know what the Angels are going to do.”

The Angels hope to re-sign Finley, who went 7-1 with a 2.16 ERA in his last 11 starts of 1999, and they believe a two-year deal in the $14-million range will suffice.

But once other teams enter the bidding, Finley’s price tag could rise. Finley said he has received calls from several teams since filing for free agency.

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Though the Angels received permission from the New York Yankees to interview third-base coach Willie Randolph for their manager job, he will not meet General Manager Bill Stoneman this week, and it appears Randolph is not in the running to replace Terry Collins.

As of Tuesday, no one from the Angels had contacted Randolph. Stoneman interviewed Cleveland minor league manager Joel Skinner and former Angel catcher Bob Boone Monday, and former Dodger catcher Mike Scioscia and Angel interim manager Joe Maddon Tuesday in Dana Point.

Yankee batting instructor Chris Chambliss and Phillie batting instructor Hal McRae are scheduled to interview with Stoneman in Montreal on Friday, and A’s bench coach Ken Macha will meet Stoneman in Montreal Saturday. Stoneman confirmed he will interview seven candidates, which means Randolph is the odd man out.

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Stoneman has had informal discussions with former Angel Manager Buck Rodgers, who is interested in returning as a special advisor to the GM. Rodgers was the Expos’ manager from 1984 to 1991 and worked there with Stoneman for several years.

Macha also was an Expo coach under Rodgers from 1986 to 1991, and some believe Macha’s chances of becoming the next Angel manager will be enhanced by the presence of both Stoneman and Rodgers in Anaheim.