Team Can Meet With Randolph, Chambliss

The New York Yankees said Tuesday they have given the Dodgers permission to interview coaches Willie Randolph and Chris Chambliss as potential Dodger managers.

The Dodgers are not commenting on their managerial search, but the Yankees confirmed that President Bob Graziano and General Manager Kevin Malone have scheduled meetings with the members of Yankee Manager Joe Torre’s staff.

The Yankees, playing the Seattle Mariners in the American League championship series, declined to say when Randolph and Chambliss would meet with the Dodgers, but sources said interviews might occur Thursday. The best-of-seven series shifts to Safeco Field in Seattle on Friday.

The Dodgers, who fired Davey Johnson on Sept. 29, are eager to fill their vacancy quickly, and the Yankees are willing to accommodate the Dodgers.

The Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates also are pursuing Randolph, a third base coach, and the Arizona Diamondbacks contacted the Yankees about Chambliss, the club’s batting instructor.

Under industry policy, the Dodgers are required to interview minority candidates and Randolph and Chambliss, members of five World Series championship clubs with the Yankees as players and coaches, are black.

Randolph played two seasons for the Dodgers, replacing Steve Sax at second base and atop the order in 1989. Chambliss also has a Southland connection, having played baseball at UCLA.

Randolph has interviewed for four managerial positions, and was a finalist last season for the Milwaukee Brewer job given Davey Lopes.

“I’m glad I’m being considered and I’m looking forward to meeting Kevin Malone and going from there,” Randolph said. “I have to go in there thinking very positive.

“I have to go in there thinking I have a legitimate shot. I can’t go in there thinking negative thoughts.”

Yankee owner George Steinbrenner believes either Randolph or Chambliss would be a good choice for the Dodgers, but he’s especially fond of Randolph.

“I’ve never had any greater competitor as a player,” Steinbrenner said of Randolph. “I just hope he gets a fair shot at it. I would think he would be a good manager.”

Torre also spoke highly of Randolph.

“He’s played for a number of teams,” Torre said. “He’s been in postseason play. He’s coached third base here for a number of years. Aside from a bench coach, a third-base coach is probably the most important guy on the staff in relation to the game being run.

“So I think the experience that he’s been around baseball for a long time and has coached third base in this city, which is not that easy to do, is a plus. He hasn’t managed in the minor leagues, which Chris Chambliss has. . . .

“I just hope that the interviews are of a serious nature and not just because [all teams] have to interview blacks.”

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The Dodgers plan to seek permission from the New York Mets to interview pitching coach Dave Wallace for a front-office position.

Believing Wallace will not return for a coaching job, the Dodgers are prepared to tailor a position to his interests.

Derrick Hall, Dodger senior vice president, declined comment.

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Pitcher Mike Fetters, a versatile reliever, has agreed to a multiyear contract, sources said.

The right-hander, who could have become a free agent after the World Series, agreed to a two-year deal with a club option, guaranteeing him $4.25 million.

Fetters, who made $550,000 plus performance incentives this season, will receive a $250,000 signing bonus and make $1.6 million in 2001. His salary increases to $2.15 million in 2002. The Dodgers can buy out a 2003 option for $250,000.

With Fetters agreeing to terms, the Dodgers have $78.05 million committed to only 16 players for next season.

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Times staff writers Mike DiGiovanna and Ross Newhan contributed to this story.