Piniella, 1990

        The Reds have been reduced to the role of an on-deck hitter in their search for a manager. Yearning for a chance to make an impact, they must wait for a turn that may not come.

        The Reds should know early this week whether they can pursue dynamic Lou Pi niella or feisty Bobby Valentine, another high-profile manager who could become available.

        But if Piniella stays with the Seattle Mariners and Valentine remains with the New York Mets — or if Cincinnati's upper management refuses to pay the $2.5 million or so per year that ei ther would command — the Reds must fall back upon their sizable group of worthy yet less-accomplished candidates.

        That likely would extend the selection process past Election Day. Should that prove to be the case, predict ing Jack McKeon's successor would be about as challenging as forecasting the Gore-Bush winner.

        Piniella, general manager Jim Bowden's top choice, told The Seattle Times that he hopes to decide by Tuesday or Wednesday whether he'll accept the Mariners' three-year, $7 million offer.

        At least two potential complications loom:

        • The average annual value of that deal is less than what San Francisco's Dusty Baker received in his two-year contract extension. Baker reportedly got $2.4 million a year along with a $500,000 signing bonus. Piniella's managerial record, especially in the postseason, is far superior to Baker's. Piniella legitimately could demand a contract richer than Baker's.

        Hearing of the Mariners' offer to Piniella, Valentine told the New York Daily News, “I'd be very surprised if Lou took that. It's less than market value.”

        Implications for the Reds: Bowden had better be at his sweet-talking best when he asks chief executive officer Carl Lindner and chief operating officer John Allen to smash the piggy banks. Or Bowden must be prepared to trade or decline to re-sign two or three arbitration-eligible players, then transfer those savings into a Piniella deal. Reliever Scott Sullivan, utilityman Chris Stynes and pitchers Steve Parris and Ron Villone are the most vulnerable Reds in this category.

        One player suggested that Bowden should consider pooling money by firing at least one of his 10 special assistants and advisers.

        • The Mariners could make things ugly. Privately, Seattle management is said to disagree with Piniella about when his contract officially expires. Sources say that the team believes it runs through the end of the year; Piniella supposedly is under the impression that it expires this month.

        Implications for the Reds: Getting Piniella could take a lot more than just throwing money at him. Obtaining permission to interview him and avoiding tampering charges might be more difficult than previously thought.

        Like Piniella, Valentine wants to settle his future by Tuesday. Unlike Piniella, Valentine knows his contract runs out that day. The reigning National League champions don't want their entire infrastructure to collapse. If the Mets sign general manager Steve Phillips to a new deal by then, expect Valentine to reach a similar agreement quickly.

        If talks between the Mets and Valentine break down, expect the Reds to chase him if Piniella's unavailable.

        “I don't think there's any doubt that teams want to talk to me,” Valentine told the Daily News. Four other teams are looking for managers, though three — Philadelphia (John Vukovich), Arizona (Bob Brenly or Terry Francona) and Toronto (Buck Martinez) appear close to filling the jobs. Los Angeles, where Valentine once played, is another obvious fit for him.

        But Valentine will want Baker-type money.

        “It's very, very easy to plot where I am in today's managerial world,” said Valentine, a Reds coach in 1993.

        It's very, very hard to guess who the Reds would hire among the nine known candidates they've interviewed if neither Piniella nor Valentine is available.

        They could hire another experienced manager with a glittering resume, such as Davey Johnson or Buck Showalter. But though Reds officials have maintained a vow of silence regarding all managerial matters, indications are that neither veteran has aroused much enthusiasm. Both, however, could be hired at a reduced rate, since Los Angeles owes Johnson $1.5 million next year and Showalter will receive $2.7 million over the next two seasons from Arizona.

        The Reds could go with third-base coach Ron Oester, the rumored favorite early in the process. Club officials value his toughness and the likelihood that he would be relatively inexpensive to sign. Don't count him out yet.

        Bench coach Ken Griffey Sr. is the popular choice among players, which is precisely why he won't be hired. Management doesn't want to be perceived as caving in to its employees. Some team officials also have a mortal fear of how center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. might respond if his father had to be fired someday.

        Two of the more intriguing possibilities are Hal McRae, formerly a hitting coach with the Phillies and Reds and Kansas City's manager, and Willie Randolph, the world champion New York Yankees' third-base coach. Their attraction as candidates has nothing to do with their minority status. Both command respect easily and naturally. If management wants somebody possessing Griffey's clubhouse charisma yet lacking the potential headaches, McRae's a solid choice. Various Reds personnel have privately raved about Randolph, who exudes a winner's confidence.

        Nobody questions Bob Boone's baseball acumen, which is why Bowden cherishes him as one of his special assistants. Boone actually may have a better chance of securing Philadelphia's managerial vacancy, though Vukovich seems to be the favorite there. Former Pittsburgh manager Gene Lamont is highly regarded for his in-game managerial skills, and Oakland bench coach Ken Macha is renowned as solid managerial timber. Yet neither appears to be headed here.

        Who do you want to manage the Reds?

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