Lou Piniella

[MarylandMan]

I heard they made him a formal offer today... supposedly a pretty big one ($13 million for about 5 years I think). They must really want him! I think he will sign there, because it's his hometown, they have some good young talent, and they are offering plenty of money.

[Baseball Guru]

By FRED GOODALL
AP Sports Writer

October 22, 2002, 5:00 PM EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Lou Piniella was offered the job as manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Tuesday and now must decide if he wants to work at home or merely closer to it.

Details of the deal were not disclosed, but it was believed to be a three- or four-year offer with an average salary that is more than the $2.5 million Piniella was to earn as manager of the Seattle Mariners in 2003.

Piniella lives in Tampa in the offseason and wants to work closer to his family. He is also being pursued by the New York Mets.

A ban on major announcements during the World Series forced the Devil Rays to cancel an afternoon news conference at Tropicana Field, where general manager Chuck LaMar planned to give an update on the club's pursuit of Piniella.

"The commissioner's office has informed the Devil Rays and other clubs that there will be no comments on any subject until the World Series is completed," the Devil Rays said in a statement.

Piniella and his agent, Alan Nero, were presented with a formal contract proposal during a meeting with LaMar and Devil Rays managing general partner Vince Naimoli.

The Devil Rays received permission to negotiate with Piniella last week, and the manager also would like an opportunity to speak with the Mets, who fired Bobby Valentine this month. The Mets, however, have been unable to agree with Seattle on compensation.

Tampa Bay began talks with Piniella last weekend after agreeing to compensation the Mariners will receive if the Devil Rays can sign Piniella.

[PopTop]

Originally posted by Baseball Guru
A ban on major announcements during the World Series forced the Devil Rays to cancel an afternoon news conference at Tropicana Field, where general manager Chuck LaMar planned to give an update on the club's pursuit of Piniella.


I'm guessing the ban came from Osama bud Selig's office out of respect for his affliction of not being able to concentrate on more than one major event at a time ... What a mental midget! ... Just another example of trying to close the barn door after the horses escape.

I hope the D-Rays get Piniella ... He's got a good shot at turning them around and, therefore, keeping them from being a legit candidate for Selig's eventual contraction contraption.

[jeter2mvp]

I think he will go because his family is in the Tampa area.
Maybe he can help this team out!