Bavasi Gets Mariner GM Job

Bill Bavasi, who assembled the core of the Angels’ World Series championship roster but resigned before the talent reached fruition, is expected to be introduced today as general manager of the Seattle Mariners.

As the Angels’ general manager from 1994 to ’99 and minor league director for the previous decade, Bavasi oversaw the acquisition of closer Troy Percival, third baseman Troy Glaus, catcher Bengie Molina, outfielders Garret Anderson, Darin Erstad and Tim Salmon and pitchers Francisco Rodriguez, John Lackey, Jarrod Washburn and Ramon Ortiz.

Bavasi and his longtime scouting director, Bob Fontaine, departed amid the Angels’ last-place 1999 season. However, in appreciation for their contributions, Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman invited Bavasi and Fontaine to join him during the 2002 World Series.

“There were a lot of players -- including the World Series MVP [Glaus] -- who those guys found,” Stoneman said. “I didn’t set out to change a whole lot of stuff. I set out to continue the job they had done.”

Bavasi, 45, has worked as the Dodgers’ minor league director for the last two years.

He replaces Pat Gillick, 66, who chose to move into a consultant role after serving as general manager for four seasons, with the Mariners winning more than 90 games in each of those seasons.

“It’s an operation in good shape,” Stoneman said. “I’m sure Bill’s going to appreciate the way Pat Gillick left things, just the way I appreciated the way Bill left things.”

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A Phoenix man was arrested on a homicide charge in the death of Cincinnati Red outfielder Dernell Stenson, and police said they were seeking a second suspect.

Reginald Riddle also was charged with armed robbery and kidnapping, police said.

Early Wednesday, Stenson’s body was found in a street in a residential neighborhood in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler. He had been shot, then run over and apparently dragged some distance by his own vehicle.

Riddle is the half brother of Kevin Riddle, who was found driving Stenson’s vehicle about two hours after the body was found.

Kevin Riddle was charged earlier with possession of stolen property, police said.

Authorities are seeking a third man, David Griffith, who police said should be considered armed and dangerous.

Stenson, 25, was playing in the Arizona Fall League. He was a late addition to the league when Wily Mo Pena was granted his wish to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic.

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Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte filed for free agency, removing the two pitchers from the New York Yankee roster.

Clemens has said he is retiring. By filing, the 41-year-old right-hander gives himself the option of negotiating with all 30 teams if he changes his mind.

Also filing was Florida second baseman Luis Castillo.

A record 205 players have filed for free agency since the World Series and eight more are eligible to file by Sunday’s deadline.

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Shortstop Jose Valentin’s $5-million option was exercised by the Chicago White Sox. Valentin, 34, batted .237 with 28 homers and 74 runs batted in this season.... New York Met General Manager Jim Duquette hired former Dodger and Angel pitcher Bill Singer as a special assistant.

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Associated Press contributed to this report.