Mills, Hale on Mariners' radar

But Farrell says no to interview

JOHN FARRELLStaying with the Red Sox

Pitching coach John Farrell is staying put. As for bench coach Brad Mills and third base coach DeMarlo Hale, the Red Sox might not be so fortunate.

While Farrell declined an invitation to speak with the Seattle Mariners about their managerial opening, Mills and Hale are among a group of seven candidates interviewing with the organization this week.

Mills, who has been manager Terry Francona's bench coach for his entire five-year tenure with the Sox, spent yesterday interviewing with new Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik. Hale is scheduled to interview Thursday.

Farrell, though, passed up a shot at a managerial job for the second straight offseason. He turned down an interview with the Pirates in 2007, citing loyalties to the Sox organization after just one year on the staff.

"I have withdrawn my name for consideration by the Seattle Mariners as they search for a new manager," Farrell said in a statement released by the Sox. "My decision is based on family reasons and being committed to the Red Sox organization."

The interest is not a surprise to the Red Sox, who plucked Farrell from the front office of the Indians before the 2007 season.

"When we got John here, we knew things would come up," Francona said yesterday.

Francona has often lamented Mills's lack of opportunities to lead a team, despite his experience and success as a coach. Before yesterday, Mills had never been interviewed for a major league managerial job.

"I really don't know [why]," Francona said. "Sometimes I feel guilty, like maybe I haven't pushed hard enough. I know he's excited about this, [it's] a thrill for him to go interview.

"I just wanted him to be himself and enjoy himself. I knew he would. He's been doing this his whole life."

The relationship between Francona and Mills dates back to their days as teammates and roommates at the University of Arizona. They also were teammates on the Expos from 1981-83, and Mills served on Francona's Phillies staff as first base coach.

Francona has a similar regard for Hale, who has spent three years with the Sox as third base and outfield coach after being selected by the organization as a first baseman/outfielder in the 1983 draft.

"Normally, I could take the whole time bragging about Millsy, but because DeMarlo and John's name are involved, it's a little unique," he said.

But it is, he said, an honor for the organization to have multiple candidates for the job.

"I'm proud of that," said Francona. "They all have leadership skills, they are all tremendously loyal. Not just loyal to [the team]. Loyalty to what they're doing. It's not just saying yes, it's the courage to have a reason for what they're saying. These guys embody that."

The Mariners fired John McLaren in June, and replaced him with Jim Riggleman on an interim basis. Riggleman was named bench coach by the Washington Nationals two weeks ago.

The other candidates in Seattle are White Sox bench coach Joey Cora (brother of Sox infielder Alex Cora); Diamondbacks third base coach Chip Hale; Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo; Padres Triple A manager Randy Ready; and A's bench coach Don Wakamatsu.

Lefthander Jon Lester, who has recovered from cancer, clinched the World Series for the Red Sox in 2007, and thrown a no-hitter, was selected as the recipient of the Hutch Award.

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle made the announcement yesterday. It gives the award annually to a major league player who best exemplifies the honor, courage, and dedication of former major league pitcher and manager Fred Hutchinson, who died of cancer in 1964 at age 45.

Amalie Benjamin can be reached at abenjamin@globe.com.