By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MIAMI - The Reds probably will finish interviewing general manager candidates today.

A Reds source said Montreal general manager Omar Minaya interviewed Wednesday. The interviews of the other finalists - Minnesota assistant GM Wayne Krivsky and Texas assistant GM Dan O'Brien - will be completed today.

Reds chief operating officer John Allen is not commenting on the search. But a Reds insider said Allen wants to complete the process this week - and contrary to conjecture, Minaya isn't the first among equals. Allen went into the process open-minded, and Krivsky, in particular, impressed him in initial interviews.

An announcement will come shortly after the conclusion of the World Series. If the Yankees win Games 4 and 5, the Reds could make one Friday; if the Series goes back to New York, the announcement probably won't come until Monday.

Minaya is also a candidate for the New York Mets' GM job and the Seattle Mariners' GM job.

Newsday reported that Minaya has been offered a "co-GM" job with the Mets' interim GM, Jim Duquette. Minaya would serve as chief talent evaluator, but Duquette would handle administration and hold the GM title.

Friends are urging Minaya not to accept such an arrangement.

The Mariners are intent on going through the interview process for their hire, so time is on the Reds' side.

The other issue is money. Allen has said the Reds will pay the going rate to their new GM. But the Mets, with considerably more resources, could offer Minaya more money to be a vice president in charge of scouting.