Report: A's coach to be Mariners' manager

SEATTLE, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Oakland A's bench coach Don Wakamatsu will be the Seattle Mariners' next manager, The Seattle Times reported the night before Wednesday's expected announcement.

Wakamatsu, 45, just completed his first season with the Athletics after spending five seasons on the coaching staff of the Texas Rangers.

Wakamatsu will take over from interim Manager Jim Riggleman, who had been the bench coach when John McLaren was fired as manager in June.

Wakamatsu reportedly was selected from a group of seven candidates. The Times reported the others were White Sox third-base coach Joey Cora, Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills, Diamondbacks third-base coach Chip Hale, Class AAA Portland manager Randy Ready, Red Sox third-base coach DeMarlo Hale and Cardinals third-base coach Jose Oquendo -- none of whom had major league managerial experience.

Wakamatsu is a former catcher whose playing career spanned 12 seasons with seven organizations. His only stint in the majors came in 1991, when he played in 18 games with the Chicago White Sox.