If George Steinbrenner is willing to allow one of his "sons" to leave home, Lou Piniella could become the next in a line of former Yankees general managers to move to the Cincinnati Reds. Piniella is one of five candidates under consideration to fill the vacant Reds managerial position.
Now that former Yankee manager Dallas Green has declined the job, Piniella certainly has a chance. Green was the first choice of Reds owner Marge Schott. Piniella appears to be the first choice of Bob Quinn, the Reds new general manager. Others apparently under consideration include Tommy Helms, who served as the manager after Pete Rose was banished, and A's pitching coach Dave Duncan.Quinn, who has followed former Yankees General Manager Murray Cook and Bill Bergesch as Schott's primary baseball executive, said yesterday he has not asked Steinbrenner for permission to speak with Piniella, who is under contract with the Yankees' owner for two more years. Although Quinn will not concede he has interest in Piniella, it is known he favors Piniella and that Piniella has discussed the Reds' vacancy with Steinbrenner.
Piniella, who worked with MSG Network last season to meet the requirements of his contract, said Saturday he is interested in managing the Reds.