By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Phase One of the Reds' search for a general manager was completed Friday when John Allen interviewed Boston assistant GM Mike Port.

Allen declined comment on the search, saying through a spokesman that he won't talk publicly about the GM until the Reds announce their choice.

Whoever ends up with the job will be limited in what he can do as far as personnel. It has been public knowledge that director of player development Tim Naehring and special assistant Johnny Almaraz are under multiyear contracts.

And the Enquirer learned that assistant GM/director of scouting Leland Maddox is under contract as well. A source said former GM Jim Bowden extended Maddox's contract before Bowden was fired.

That means three of the four positions under the GM are under contract. Only assistant GM Brad Kullman is not.

Allen has said the GM will have some leeway in shaping the staff. Given the Reds' reluctance to pay off contracts, a major overhaul at the top level is unlikely.

The Reds interviewed eight candidates - Port, Montreal GM Omar Minaya, Houston assistant GM Tim Purpura, Minnesota assistant GM Wayne Krivsky, Texas assistant GM Dan O'Brien, Detroit GM Al Avila, San Francisco assistant GM Ned Colletti and Milwaukee scout David Wilder.

Allen will trim the list to two or three and bring in the finalists for a second interview.

Minaya is likely to be a finalist. Most insiders think Krivsky will be on the list as well.

Given Allen's earlier comment that a premium would be placed "on finding baseball players," O'Brien or Avila, who have strong backgrounds in scouting, could make the cut as well.

Allen would like to make the hire before the end of the World Series. Under baseball rules, the announcement would have to come on a Series off day, Oct. 20 or 24.