When asked about Manny Ramirez, Minaya told WFAN, ‘I think I’ve been pretty clear… This is the team we’re going with, I think we’ve made improvements and I look forward to spring training.”

Minaya acknowledged that the bottom of his batting order is ‘light,’ but he is still looking to pick up a few players on minor-league deals, including acquiring a right-handed bat.

He sees Brian Schneider as his starting catcher – and, ‘right now,’ a platoon of Fernando Tatis and Daniel Murphy in left field, adding, ‘today, of course, things can change as we go in to spring training.’

Minaya says he likes Murphy a lot, he likes his intensity, he likes how he hits with two strikes, saying the intensity he brings is what this team needs. 

Minaya says he likes a mix of veterans and young players – he always likes to bring along one or two minor leaguers through the season.

Ryan Church is healthy, Minaya said, after having checked in with him, team trainers and doctors.  Church will be important this season, according to Minaya, because they need his defense, noting Citi Field will require a center field-type defender in right field.

Minaya watched Luis Castillo in the Dominican Republic last week, where he’s working out every day at the team’s facility.  Minaya told Castillo he needs to perform, he’s been a good player for 10 years, ‘but the bottom line is he has to perform and he knows that.’ 

Jerry Manuel and the coaching staff have also been in contact with Castillo.  Minaya and Manuel have told Castillo, ‘The fans will keep an eye on you, and you have to overcome that.’

Minaya says it takes a mental toughness to succeed in New York, and Castillo will need to rise to that – in fact, this is one of the reasons he wanted to bring Oliver Perez back, ‘because, so far, Oliver Perez has shown he can handle New York.’

Francisco Rodriguez could handle the pressure in Winter Ball, which is worse than New York, Minaya says, ‘Here, you blow a save and they just talk about it, there if you blow a save your life may be on the line.”

The reality, he explains, is that every pitching staff on every team is a ‘leap of faith,’ because of health.  However, he pointed out, the average age of his staff is 27 years old.

To listen to this entire 20–minute interview, go to WFAN.com.

Randolph, as quoted by ESPN, said:

“I’m excited, looking forward to this next challenge and getting to work. I love teaching and I’m passionate about being in the game. Eventually, I do want to get back to managing. I didn’t really want to wait around. … I thought it was best to make this move.”

Randolph has an agreement with the Brewers that if he gets another managerial offer, he can take it.

Macha, the former A’s manager, inked a two-year deal.

Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly, former A’s manager Ken Macha and Randolph are finalists for the open manager’s position in Milwaukee.

Update 10/27…

According to the Daily News, Willie Randolph said he hasn’t rejected any coaching job as of yet.

Randolph, as quoted by George A. King III:

“There are [stories] out there that I turned down the Washington [third base] coaching job. That’s not true. Jim [Bowden] and I spoke and he knew that I was looking for an opportunity to manage and he said he would get back to me. It was never offered, so there was nothing to turn down.”

Rubin writes:

“Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin, after informing interim manager Dale Sveum that he wouldn’t be retained, indicated he wanted to hire a skipper with managerial experience and a track record of success.”

The Mets owe Randolph $2.25 million if he does not work next year.

Randolph, as quoted by Sporting News:

“They’ve reached out to say, ‘we’re interested.’ This is just the early stages.”

…two former mets personnel on one bench, is art howe going to be the third base coach too…i wish the best for willie but think he has too much pride to be an understudy, especially manny acta’s…

According to Davidoff, Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden is interested in hiring Randolph as Manager Manny Acta’s bench coach or third-base coach.

In his report, Davidoff notes the Mets ‘regard Acta as a future managerial star,’ and cites an ‘official from an American League club,’ saying the Mets only gave Jerry Manuel a two-year contract due to their affection for Acta.

Davidoff also reports the Brewers have interviewed Randolph for their current managerial opening.

…i trust the creditability of davidoff’s report, but the whole thing sounds like a Dylan-Brenda-and-Kelly-90210-style love triangle…

Why is the June 16 date significant? It was the day after Willie Randolph was fired as the Mets manager.

Although the stats may suggest Delgado stopped playing for Randolph, I highly doubt that was the case.

I believe it had more to do with Delgado finally recovering from the wrist surgery he had in 2006 and making adjustments to his batting stance than his perceived dislike of his former manager.

However, one could argue, it was more than just coincidence.

…in the span of a few seconds, i felt happy for him, angry, annoyed, sad, etc., all at once…

…that said, apparently, you can go home again…

For more on Randolph’s return to Yankee Stadium in pinstripes, check out Bryan Hoch’s report for MLB.com.

Costello writes:

“George never walked away from the friendship he had with Willie,” said Howard Rubenstein, Steinbrenner’s spokesman. “George has said he’s a terrific guy and he wanted him to be part of this great moment at Yankee Stadium.”

…i’m sure some will say that this is another example of how willie was always more of a yankee than a met, but i don’t see it that way…i think it’s simply a nice gesture by george, something i don’t often say…