ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Lou Piniella reportedly has agreed to a four-year, $13 million deal to manage his hometown Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
New York Newsday reported the agreement Thursday, although nothing can become official until after the World Series because of Commissioner Bud Selig's edict that no managerial changes can be announced during the Fall Classic.
The Devil Rays were expected to formally offer Piniella the job earlier this week, but Selig told the club not to comment until after the World Series.
That also goes for managerial vacancies with the New York Mets and Oakland Athletics. According to numerous reports, both teams have agreed to terms with their new skippers.
The New York Daily News and Newsday have reported that Art Howe has agreed to leave Oakland to join the Mets. Newsday added that Athletics bench coach Ken Macha will take over Oakland.
Piniella, Howe and Macha all are represented by Alan Nero, making it possible for all three deals to be settled simultaneously.
The Devil Rays first met with Piniella last Saturday, one day after reaching a compensation agreement with Seattle that enabled them to begin negotiating with the man who has managed the Mariners for the last 10 years.
Piniella announced last week that he was leaving to manage closer to home. Since he has a year remaining on his contract with Seattle, the Mariners are entitled to compensation if Piniella manages elsewhere in 2003.
The New York Mets also were interested in Piniella but reportedly were unable to reach a compensation agreement with the Mariners.
Newsday said the Mariners wanted future Hall of Fame second baseman Roberto Alomar and top shortstop prospect Jose Reyes for Piniella and high-priced second baseman Bret Boone.
The Devil Rays also interviewed Macha and New York Yankees coaches Willie Randolph and Lee Mazzilli.
Piniella, 59, who has three grown children, graduated from high school in Tampa and attended the University of Tampa.
The Devil Rays tied for the worst record in the major leagues last season at 55-106 and fired manager Hal McRae.
Piniella guided the Mariners to an American League-record 116 wins in 2001 and was rewarded with AL Manager of the Year honors. But Seattle fell six games shy of the playoffs this season and Piniella reportedly was upset that the team did not make more midseason moves.
Unquestionably the most successful manager in team history, Piniella guided the Mariners to three straight playoff appearances and four in the last eight years.
Under Piniella, Seattle went 840-711 and reached the ALCS in 1995, 2000 and 2001. Piniella has a career managerial mark of 1,319-1,135 and guided the Cincinnati Reds to a World Series title in 1990.
Among active managers, only Atlanta's Bobby Cox, St. Louis' Tony La Russa and Joe Torre of the New York Yankees have more wins than Piniella.
