" Plans to conduct eight to ten phone interviews -- managerial opening. Then bringing three to five finalists by the third week in October. Bobby Valentine will be on the short list he almost certainly will get an interview. Buck Showalter on the other hand will not. For now the Indians are proceeding as if John Farrell the Red Sox pitching coach will not be a candidate. That however could change quickly if Farrell expresses interest in the job. At that point. The Indians and the other parties involved the Red Sox and Farrell would need to negotiate a way out of the clause and Farrell's contract. That prevents him from accepting a managerial position at 2010. I think Josh Johnson long term is the marlins' number one priority this off season. To get a deal done the Marlins will need to exceed significantly. The four years 38 million dollar contract that the Royals awarded Zack Greinke. It was at a similar service level last offseason. Now if no deal gets done -- and almost certainly will not sign a long term contract after next season. We will be only one year away from free agency. At that point the Marlins wouldn't trade him. -- is out as Padres general manager and the question is who will be in. Pulled the Podesta the Dodgers from former GM in the special assistant with the Padres is not interested in becoming the pods GM. Pat Gillick the former Phillies in Blue Jays GM also does not figure to be candidate. Gillick is accustomed to working with high payroll teams and the Padres are anything but. The leading candidate here figures to be Diamondbacks executive Jerry to photo. But the Padres will need approval from the commissioner's office to get him. Padres CEO Jeff -- left the Diamondbacks only last December. The commissioner's office frowns upon executives reading of former team's front office talent. But in the photos case already has interviewed for GM opening is with the nationals and the Mariners. It would be difficult for the Diamondbacks and -- much of life. Alford is well intentioned when he says that he is interested in signing with the -- long term. The problem is -- probably will not offer him enough to keep him from becoming a free agent at the season. The bigger question is twins catcher Joe Mauer who also is eligible to hit the market after the 2010 season. Howard sold the York times this week that he is not interested in becoming the game's highest paid player even though he probably deserves to be that -- He is represented by one to Harrell and Michael lost the same agent at cal Ripken in Baltimore for his entire career. Kirby Puckett in Minnesota. Pyro and -- clearly recognized valuable players and which ones and his entire career. Of course mr. pyro also is the father of Indians GM marked departure. Represents a bit of a battle for him. --"