NEW YORK — The Reds' search for a manager could become clearer today after Lou Piniella meets with Seattle Mariners officials.

        Piniella, who managed the Mariners to the American League playoffs this year, must determine whether the team is willing to satisfy his desire for a multiyear contract averaging $2.5 million a year.

        If Seattle spurns Piniella, he'll probably be pursued by the Reds, whom he managed to the 1990 World Series title. But chief executive officer Carl Lindner might not be so enthusiastic about meeting Piniella's price.

        Piniella also could be pursued by some of the other teams with openings, a group that includes Arizona, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Toronto.

        If Piniella stays with Seattle, the Reds may focus harder on the candidates they've already interviewed, some of whom have other teams on their minds. Yankees third-base coach Willie Randolph met Wednesday with Philadelphia and will talk to the Dodgers today. Oakland bench coach Ken Macha and former Phillies batting coach Hal McRae will interview with Toronto today.

        Cincinnati can cross Boston manager Jimy Williams off its wish list. Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette told the Boston Herald that he won't allow any team to interview Williams, assuring the manager, whose job once was rumored to be shaky, is safe for next year.

        With representatives from every team congregating for the World Series, rumors have been bound to fly. Speculation among baseball people has thrown former Toronto manager Jim Fregosi, ESPN broadcaster Buck Martinez and Jeff Torborg, Ken Griffey Jr.'s first major-league manager, into the mix. Martinez is considered the favorite to secure the Toronto opening.

        FEELING AT HOME: Pettitte has been unusually successful pitching in foreign ballparks in Series competition. He's 2-0 with a 2.33 ERA in three road starts, compared with 0-1, 10.00 in two Yankee Stadium assignments.

        “I think maybe my focus might be a little bit better on the road sometimes than it is at home,” Pettitte said. “Going into the other team's park, you have to realize you're going to get in trouble. The crowd's going to get loud.”

        Pettitte will oppose Mets left-hander Al Leiter, whose preference for pitching at home was obvious when he played for the Yankees, Toronto and Florida. He owns a 61-29 lifetime record at home, far exceeding his 45-50 road mark.

        “I think there's really a lot to be said for being comfortable on your mound, the perception that you get from your catcher behind the stands, the fans behind you and just the whole confines of what you're comfortable with,” Leiter said.

Yanks 1 win from title Piniella to meet with Seattle today SULLIVAN: Derek Jeter SULLIVAN: John Franco 1975 World Series: Game 4

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