Bell Getting Close to Rockies’ Job

The Colorado Rockies reportedly are close to hiring Cincinnati Red farm director Buddy Bell as their next manager.

Bell could be hired as soon as next week, the Denver Post and Denver Rocky Mountain News reported in Saturday’s editions.

Bell reportedly will fly to Denver next week for a formal interview with Rocky General Manager Dan O’Dowd, Vice President Keli McGregor and owners Jerry McMorris, Charlie Monfort and Dick Monfort.

O’Dowd did not return telephone messages left by the Associated Press.

O’Dowd said he and Bell have had preliminary discussions, but the deal has not been finalized. O’Dowd denied reports that Bell has already been hired.

“That’s premature,” O’Dowd told the Post. “It could turn out that way, but we don’t have the day firmed up yet on when we can get Buddy out here. I will say that I’m ready to take this to the next stage.”

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The Baltimore Orioles can forget about trying to hire New York Yankee executive Gordon Blakeley as their next general manager.

Yankee owner George Steinbrenner has denied permission for the Orioles to interview Blakeley, team sources told the Associated Press on Saturday.

Blakeley is the director of international and professional scouting for the Yankees, and his specialty is Latin America.

Blakeley was instrumental in bringing pitcher Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez and top infield prospect Alfonso Soriano to the World Series champions. He also helped in the pursuit of pitcher Hideki Irabu.

The Orioles fired general manager Frank Wren on Oct. 7, after his first season with the team. Wren was hired by Atlanta as an assistant general manager last week.