By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

NEW YORK - The Reds may have some competition if they want to name Omar Minaya general manager.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported Sunday that Minaya will interview for the Mariners GM vacancy this week.

Minaya, the Montreal Expo general manager, has also interviewed for the New York Mets' GM job.

Minaya is one of the three finalists for the Reds job, along with Minnesota assistant general manager Wayne Krivsky and Texas assistant general manager Dan O'Brien.

Reds chief operating officer John Allen is expected to do a second interview with the three finalists this week.

Allen has not returned calls about the search.

Minaya has not spoken to the press since the season ended. Some would list the Reds job as his fourth best option behind Seattle, the Mets or staying in Montreal.

Allen has hinted that the announcement could come before the end of the World Series. Thursday is an off day in the Series.

Major League Baseball only allows major announcements on off days in the postseason.

BULLPEN WILLIS: Dontrelle Willis was the talk of the World Series after retiring his first seven hitters in relief in Game 1.

His 2 1/3 innings got the Marlins from starter Brad Penny to closer Ugueth Urbina - one of the keys to the Marlins' 3-2 victory.

Willis, a 21-year-old rookie, was available to pitch in Game 2. Willis went 14-6 with a 3.30 ERA. But he was 5-6 after starting 9-1.

"He's done a decent job for us all along," Florida manager Jack McKeon said. "(Saturday), he came in like he did early in the year."

Using Willis in is the bullpen means the Marlins will start Carl Pavano in Game 4.

DUSTY'S HERE: Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker attended Game 2 of the World Series to accept the MLB Manager Move of the Year award.

BECKETT OK: Josh Beckett, the pitching hero of the NLCS for the Marlins, said he is feeling no effects of the four innings he threw in relief two days after his Game 3 two-hitter.

The 23-year-old right-hander will start Game 3 in Florida.

YANKEE STRUGGLES: Yankee manager Joe Torre juggled his lineup after the Yankees went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position in Game 1.

He moved Nick Johnson from second to eighth and Jason Giambi from seventh to third.