McCourt Interviews Phillies’ Amaro

Although many believe the Dodgers’ situation cries out for a seasoned general manager, a veteran who has navigated the many challenges, demands and obstacles of running a club, new owner Frank McCourt’s GM search continues to focus on up-and-coming executives who are high on potential but low on experience.

Philadelphia Phillie assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., 39, met Tuesday with McCourt in Boston to discuss the Dodgers’ likely GM vacancy, becoming the second candidate to interview for the job. Oakland assistant GM Paul DePodesta, 31, interviewed with McCourt on Friday.

Former Seattle, Baltimore and Toronto GM Pat Gillick is still expected to be a leading candidate, former Oakland president Sandy Alderson, who is working in the commissioner’s office as the vice president of baseball operations, could emerge as a candidate, and former Cincinnati GM Jim Bowden has expressed interest.

But as of Tuesday afternoon, neither Gillick, Alderson nor Bowden had been officially contacted by McCourt, who hopes to have a permanent GM -- current GM Dan Evans remains a candidate, though a longshot -- in place by the start of spring training Feb. 19.

Another candidate who was expected to be high on McCourt’s list -- Houston assistant GM Tim Purpura -- said he would not pursue the position if contacted by the Dodgers.

“Obviously, I would like to be a GM someday, Los Angeles is a great market, and the Dodgers have a great history,� said Purpura, who has interviewed for GM jobs in Anaheim, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. “But at this point in my career, it’s not something I’d want to pursue. I’m with one of the best organizations in the game, and I have one of the best jobs in baseball. We started a job here, and I want to see it through.�

Amaro, an assistant GM in Philadelphia for the last five seasons, declined to comment when contacted Tuesday afternoon. McCourt called Phillie President David Montgomery on Monday to seek permission to interview Amaro, and the Phillies immediately agreed.

“Ruben has done a terrific job as my assistant, and it’s great to see that his abilities are being recognized in the industry,� Phillie GM Ed Wade told Associated Press.

Amaro, a Stanford graduate, played 12 seasons of professional baseball (1987-98), including parts of eight years in the major leagues as an outfielder with the Angels, Phillies and Cleveland Indians.

He and his father, former major leaguer Ruben Sr., who is of Mexican and Cuban descent, are the only father-son combination to play for the Phillies. Amaro Jr. is bilingual, and his interview Tuesday brings the Dodgers in line with Commissioner Bud Selig’s edict that minorities be included in the interview process for key front-office and managerial positions.

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Despite reports from New York that the Yankees believe they are poised to acquire Dodger third baseman Adrian Beltre for prospects, two Dodger sources said the team hasn’t had serious trade talks with the Yankees, who are searching for a replacement for the injured Aaron Boone.

Yankee GM Brian Cashman called Evans to inquire about Beltre after Boone suffered a major knee injury playing basketball in January, but there have been no conversations between the two since.

Besides, sources say, the Dodgers need to add offense, and removing Beltre, the team’s projected cleanup batter despite his inconsistent power and production, wouldn’t make sense.

And though Evans has expressed interest in free-agent pitcher Greg Maddux, the veteran right-hander remains on the Dodgers’ back burner, an option only if another starting pitcher, such as left-hander Odalis Perez, is traded for a hitter.

The Dodgers have discussed deals for Chicago White Sox first basemen Frank Thomas and Paul Konerko, but Thomas, who will make $6 million in 2004, is the more viable option because the Dodgers probably could acquire him for Perez ($5 million), and the deal would be a payroll wash.

The White Sox are believed to be seeking prospects for Konerko, who will make $8 million in 2004.

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A Feb. 18 arbitration hearing in Arizona has been scheduled for Dodger closer Eric Gagne, who is seeking a 2004 salary of $8 million, considerably more than the $5 million the Dodgers offered in arbitration.... The Dodgers have invited 10 of their minor league players to spring training, including pitcher Greg Miller and outfielder Franklin Gutierrez.

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Times staff writer Ross New- han contributed to this report.