By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

There was speculation around the Reds that when Jim Bowden and Bob Boone were fired, Tim Naehring and Dave Miley would take over as general manager and manager.

The speculation was half right. Miley was named interim manager Monday, but a new general manager won't be named until after the World Series.

For now, assistant general managers Brad Kullman and Leland Maddox will run the club day-to-day. Kullman, Maddox and Naehring will be candidates for the GM job. Special assistant Johnny Almaraz could be considered as well.

The Reds said the team would conduct an extensive search that reflects Major League Baseball's hiring policies. Failure to do so could result in a $2 million fine.

Maddox is an African-American; Almaraz is Mexican-American.

Chief operating officer John Allen briefly outlined his criteria for the new GM on Monday.

"It's got to be a baseball guy who can help accomplish those goals that we've set from player development and scouting, home-growing our talent," Allen said.

Naehring, a graduate of LaSalle High School, certainly fits Allen's description. He played at Miami University and for the Boston Red Sox. He's been the player development director since October 2000, and is a stickler for rules governing players' appearance.

Kullman has worked for the Reds for 14 years. He's dealt extensively with contracts and statistical analysis, but hasn't managed a department.

Almaraz's title is special assistant to the GM, but he is chiefly a scout. He signed Adam Dunn, Ray Olmedo and Jose Acevedo.

Maddox, who is in charge of scouting, was brought in by Bowden. That could work against him.

Who becomes the GM will determine who becomes Boone's permanent replacement.

"It's got to be the new general manager (who hires the manager)," Allen said. "That's certainly the plan. I can't think of anything that would change that philosophy."

There is a strong case to be made that Miley should be the guy. Miley's winning percentage in the minors is .570. Only Sparky Anderson (.596) has a higher winning percentage in Reds history.

Other reasons to consider Miley:

• The Reds are essentially a young team. Miley has made a career of managing young players.

• Miley, as the Triple-A manager since 1996, has managed most of the players in the system.

Allen would not discuss candidates on Monday. He said he had already heard from agents from three unemployed managers.

Whether or not Miley gets the job likely will be determined by the club's performance over the next 57 games.

"He's won over 1,100 games as a manager in the minor leagues," Allen said. "He's been very loyal to our organization."

Ron Oester and Ken Griffey Sr., two former Reds who applied when Bob Boone got the job, also could be considered.

Oester, of course, had the job before a misunderstanding between him and Bowden led to Boone's hiring. Oester did not learn of the switch until he heard there was going to be a news conference announcing Boone's hiring.

While Oester holds a grudge with Bowden, he did return for the closing ceremonies of Cinergy Field/Riverfront Stadium. Oester is a fiery personality, and did not shy away from confronting players in his tenure as a Reds coach.

That was not Boone's style, and, some would argue, one of the reasons for his demise.

"Discipline in the clubhouse really gets you going where you need to be," reliever Scott Williamson said.

Griffey is still employed by the club as special assistant. He quit his coaching job in spring training 2002 in a dispute over his role.

Another former Red who may be considered is Buddy Bell, currently the bench coach for the Cleveland Indians. Bell has been a manager in Colorado and Detroit.

And here's another name - albeit a long shot - to consider: Joe Torre. Torre, the ultra-successful manager of the New York Yankees, could be out after this season. He's butted heads with owner George Steinbrenner, and his wife is from Cincinnati.

Other names likely to come up: Bobby Valentine, Kevin Kennedy and Jim Fregosi.

Key issues for Reds

The new Reds management team has some on-field decisions to make the remainder of the season:

Jose Guillen: He has become their best player, hitting .341 with 23 homers and 63 RBI. He's a free agent after the season; can you simply let your best player walk? Do they trade him, or try to re-sign him?

Aaron Boone: He's making $3.7 million and is eligible for arbitration, which means a big raise. Is he too pricey? Would he prefer a trade after his dad's firing?

Kent Mercker, Felix Heredia and Gabe White: The Reds have three solid left-handed relievers, something contending teams are always in the market for.

Barry Larkin/Ray Olmedo: Larkin's contract is up at the end of the season. Should they look to the future and play Olmedo every day, to prepare him for 2004?

Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns: Jim Bowden said repeatedly the 23-year-old outfielders were untouchables. Are they still?

Danny Graves: He is in the first year of a three-year, $17.5 million deal. Would a contender take on his salary?

Wily Mo Pena: Bowden kept the outfielder on the roster so they wouldn't lose him. Does the new regime think so highly of him?