By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MIAMI - The Reds are set to name Texas assistant general manager Dan O'Brien as the new general manager.

O'Brien was one of three finalists brought in for a second interview Wednesday. Minnesota assistant general manager Wayne Krivsky and Montreal GM Omar Minaya were also brought in for follow-up interviews.

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Krivsky said he was told Thursday that he was no longer in the running. Minaya could not be reached for comment.

O'Brien and Reds chief operating officer John Allen would not comment.

"I haven't talked about it all along, and I'm not going to start now," Allen said. "We'll announce it when we announce it."

Said O'Brien: "I'm going to be consistent and decline comment."

But a Reds source confirmed that the choice is O'Brien. The formal announcement will likely be made Monday.

O'Brien, 49, lived in Columbus from 1963-77 where his father, Dan Sr., was an executive with the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, the official governing body of minor league baseball.

O'Brien is a graduate of Rollins College in Florida, the same school that produced former GM Jim Bowden.

O'Brien has a master's degree from Ohio University. His wife, Gail, is a graduate of Miami University and Ohio State University law school.

O'Brien has been with the Rangers since October 1996. Before that, he spent 15 years with the Houston Astros, rising to director of scouting and player development.

He started his career with the Seattle Mariners as director of group sales in 1977.

O'Brien, Krivsky and Minaya made the cut from the original eight finalists.

On Wednesday, they met with Allen and Reds chief executive officer Carl Lindner.

O'Brien's hiring probably bodes well for interim manager Dave Miley. A key to the success of Houston's farm system, which O'Brien once headed, is continuity. Miley and his right-hand man, bench coach Mark Berry, are longtime employees of the Reds' organization.

Minaya, who had been tabbed the leading candidate based on his experience with the Expos, is also weighing an offer by the New York Mets to be a co-general manager in charge of scouting.

Minaya is also a candidate for the Seattle GM job.

Krivsky said he felt good about his chances after the interview.

"I'm disappointed," he said. "It's been a long process. Fortunately, I work for a great organization like the Twins and a guy like (GM) Terry Ryan."

O'Brien's accomplishments before going to the Rangers probably sold the Reds on him. The Astros have consistently competed in the National League Central, relying heavily on homegrown talent, particularly when it comes to pitching. O'Brien set up Houston's Venezuelan academy, which has produced 16 big-league players in 15 years.

O'Brien will take over for Bowden, who was fired July 28. Bowden had served as the Reds' GM for 101/2 years.

The general manager is the top position in the player personnel department, overseeing the major league team as well as the minor league operation. He answers to Allen, the chief operating officer. O'Brien will be the 16th GM in Reds history.

The Reds went 69-93 last year, and finished the season with mostly minor leaguers on the roster, thanks to a midseason salary purge, and injuries.

The Reds have $30.9 million committed to five players - Ken Griffey Jr. ($12.5 million), Sean Casey ($6.4 million), Danny Graves ($6 million), Paul Wilson ($3.5 million) and Jimmy Haynes ($2.5 million) - for the 2004 season.

There's been speculation that the team's payroll could be as low as $40 million next season.

O'Brien's hiring ability is constrained. Three of the top four officials in the baseball department - player development director Tim Naehring, scouting director Leland Maddox and special assistant Johnny Almaraz - are under contract.

Bowden extended Maddox's and special assistant Al Goldis' contract shortly before Bowden was fired.

He'll lead the Reds

Who: Dan O'Brien.

Age: 49.

Current job: Assistant general manager, Texas Rangers.

Previous stops: Seattle Mariners (1977-81); Houston Astros (1981-1996).

Family: Wife, Gail.College: Graduate of Rollins College and Ohio University.

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E-mail jfay@enquirer.com