Omar Minaya

Mets general manager Omar Minaya shook up New York's coaching staff yesterday while continuing to search for a manager to replace Art Howe. Minaya, in his second week since becoming GM, announced that only pitching coach Rick Peterson will return. Don Baylor, who interviewed Tuesday for the Phillies' managing job, will not be back as hitting coach, but is still under consideration to take over for Howe, who was fired after 2 years. Third base-infield coach Matt Galante and first base-outfield coach Gary Pettis were let go by the Mets, who went 71-91.

The Baywatch is set to begin at Citi Field. Free-agent slugger Jason Bay and the New York Mets have reached a preliminary agreement, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press yesterday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Bay must pass a physical for the contract to be complete. The three-time All-Star is expected to sign a 4-year contract for about $65 million. The 31-year-old outfielder hit 36 home runs with 119 RBI last season for Boston.

Willie Randolph hung up the phone and gave his wife a big hug. After falling short nearly a dozen times, he finally was a major league manager. "I think my wife had to pull me off the ceiling, I was so excited," he said yesterday at Shea Stadium, where the New York Mets introduced the Brooklyn native as their 18th manager. "It's a lot of emotion running through your body, the fact that you finally get your opportunity, you're doing it in your hometown, for the team you rooted for as a kid. " He called his parents in South Carolina after new Mets general manager Omar Minaya hired him Wednesday night and took congratulatory calls from Frank Robinson and Reggie Jackson.

Jim Riggleman interviewed yesterday for the New York Mets' managing job, and the team hopes to hire a replacement for Art Howe next week. Riggleman, the Dodgers' bench coach, managed San Diego for a little more than two seasons and was the Chicago Cubs' manager for five seasons before being fired in 1999. He has a 486-598 record as a major league manager. Riggleman met with Mets general manager Omar Minaya. "I feel very good about talking baseball with these guys," Riggleman said.

Villanova pitcher Kevin Mulvey signed with the New York Mets on Wednesday and will report to the Mets' minor-league complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Mulvey, the team's first pick (62d overall) in this year's draft, went 3-8 with a 3.61 ERA with five complete games in 14 starts for the Wildcats last season. In 92 1/3 innings, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound junior allowed 91 hits and had 23 walks and 88 strikeouts. "He brings the right approach and attitude that should help the club for years to come," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - For $414,000, the Phillies apparently are willing to see what's left in Luis Castillo's 35-year-old body. The Phillies agreed to a minor-league deal with Castillo, the former all-star and Gold Glove second baseman who was unceremoniously cut by the Mets on Friday, according to a report by CSNPhilly.com, citing anonymous sources late Sunday night. Castillo is due $6 million in the final year of a four-year, $25 million deal, but the Mets will be on the hook for everything but the major-league minimum.

Blocked from pursuing Lou Piniella and unsure whether Dusty Baker would be interested, the New York Mets apparently have turned to Art Howe as their new manager. The Associated Press said last night that Howe had agreed to a four-year, $9.4 million contract. The move will be announced next week, after the World Series. Commissioner Bud Selig ordered teams not to make major announcements during the Series. After finishing in last place despite a $95 million payroll, the Mets fired Bobby Valentine on Oct. 1 with one year remaining on his contract.

The New York Mets issued a statement yesterday supporting catcher Paul Lo Duca, who has been embroiled in a messy divorce case accompanied by allegations of gambling and adultery by his former Playboy-model wife, Sonia. "We have talked to Major League Baseball and they have expressed no concern of any violation of any Major League Baseball rule regarding Paul Lo Duca," the Mets said before their game at Washington. MLB spoke to Lo Duca last year after officials became aware of his betting habits on horse racing, particularly after suspicious people came looking for him at the ballpark because of gambling debts.

If Curt Schilling is really done. . . You're going to miss Curt's occasional suggestions that he really wants to come back to Philadelphia. Always left unsaid: Unless he could get a better contract, or go to a better team, or find a better climate, or locate a more efficient WiFi hot spot. Cole's place in local history We'll leave it to Salisbury and Zolecki to pinpoint that, but here's one obvious bottom line: Cole Hamels has to pitch in a World Series game before he gets past Schilling.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - For $414,000, the Phillies apparently are willing to see what's left in Luis Castillo's 35-year-old body. The Phillies agreed to a minor-league deal with Castillo, the former all-star and Gold Glove second baseman who was unceremoniously cut by the Mets on Friday, according to a report by CSNPhilly.com, citing anonymous sources late Sunday night. Castillo is due $6 million in the final year of a four-year, $25 million deal, but the Mets will be on the hook for everything but the major-league minimum.

Last season, the Mets used 117 different lineups (not including the pitcher) in 162 games. Almost every regular spent time on the disabled list, making for what resulted in a lost season. Yet, despite losing 92 games last season, the Mets haven't been very proactive in the free-agent market, outside of signing leftfielder Jason Bay. Instead, much of the hope in Queens relies on everyone's being healthy again. Considering Jose Reyes played 36 games and Carlos Beltran 81, getting a full season out of those two would be like a new acquisition.

The Baywatch is set to begin at Citi Field. Free-agent slugger Jason Bay and the New York Mets have reached a preliminary agreement, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press yesterday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Bay must pass a physical for the contract to be complete. The three-time All-Star is expected to sign a 4-year contract for about $65 million. The 31-year-old outfielder hit 36 home runs with 119 RBI last season for Boston.

Early yesterday afternoon, a line drive was smacked to left field, and Gary Sheffield started after it - slowly . The way Sheffield loafed after the ball reminded me of the famous scene in Bull Durham when the skipper and Larry are dressing down the team and calling the players a bunch of lollygaggers. So Sheffield trotted toward the ball, then lifted his glove with typical Mets insouciance. Little Leaguers everywhere were no doubt horrified that Sheffield didn't use two hands, and sure enough the ball bounced out and unceremoniously fell to the ground at Citi Field.

Mea culpa Mets general manager Omar Minaya said yesterday that he apologized to New York Daily News reporter Adam Rubin for questioning his motives and professionalism. Minaya called the remarks he made in a Monday news conference, connecting Rubin and the club's dismissal of vice president of player development Tony Bernazard, "out of character," according to an Associated Press report. "I admit to making a mistake, bringing up the things I did," Minaya said. "I should have talked to Adam separately.

Mets general manager Omar Minaya fired a team executive yesterday for a series of blowups, then openly questioned the motives of a New York baseball writer who reported the turmoil after asking about getting a job in baseball. Vice president of player personnel Tony Bernazard was dismissed after getting into a heated argument with All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez, challenging Double A players to a fight and berating a team employee over a seating mixup. Then the news conference took a bizarre turn when the focus shifted to Adam Rubin, of the New York Daily News, and a series of stories he wrote, documenting problems in the club's minor league system.

Omar Minaya is staying as general manager of the New York Mets. Jerry Manuel is likely to remain as manager. Players, however, could be on the move. After the Mets' second straight September collapse, fans are angry with the team, the front office, and the players. "They all work hard. They all prepare. They all care. All those ingredients are there. So what is it that we lack? What is it that we need to get across that finish line?" Minaya said yesterday when his new contract was announced.

New York Mets lefthander Johan Santana underwent arthroscopic surgery on torn cartilage in his left knee yesterday, the team said. Santana was hurt before his final start but still pitched a shutout on short rest Saturday against the Florida Marlins to temporarily keep the Mets' playoff hopes alive. Santana is expected to be ready for spring training, the team said. He went 16-7 with a 2.53 ERA after coming over from the Minnesota Twins in February in a blockbuster trade.