Astros looking for GM

Three candidates interviewed with the team on Wednesday.

HOUSTON (AP) — Ed Wade and Jim Beattie were among three candidates who interviewed with the Houston Astros for their vacant general manager job Wednesday, and the team also scheduled an interview with Major League Baseball vice president Bob Watson.

The Astros also interviewed Muzzy Jackson on Wednesday. Jackson is special assistant to the general manager with the Kansas City Royals.

Watson, who was general manager of the Astros from 1993 to 1995, also held that position with the New York Yankees from October 1995 to February 1998. He helped lead the Yankees to the 1996 World Series title, and currently is vice president of on-field operations for Major League Baseball.

Astros interim general manager Tal Smith said Watson will be interviewed, as will Houston assistant general manager Ricky Bennett and senior director of baseball operations David Gottfried.

Wade is the former general manager of the Phillies. He was fired after the 2005 season after failing to get Philadelphia into the playoffs during eight years on the job.

Beattie, the former general manager of the Montreal Expos and Baltimore Orioles, held the position with the Orioles from December 2002 to October 2005.

Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. arrived in Houston on Wednesday evening to interview for the job.

“I’m very flattered to get the opportunity to talk to the decision-makers,” Amaro told Houston TV station KRIV.

Last week, the team fired manager Phil Garner and general manager Tim Purpura with the club at the bottom of the NL Central standings. Bench coach Cecil Cooper was appointed interim manager, and Smith is serving as interim general manager.

Notes

The Astros have signed Italian pitcher Andrea Lucati of the Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball in Rome. Lucati was a participant in the last two European Baseball Academies, which are run by Major League Baseball. The Astros are one of six major league teams to sign a participant of the 2007 European Academy. The 17-year-old Lucati will remain in Italy until he completes high school in 2008. He is expected to join the Astros at spring training.

XDue to a 50-minute rain delay, Wednesday’s Pirates game was not completed in time for this edition.