Tigers look to Leyland to turn things around

Jim Leyland was enjoying his leisurely life working as a major league scout for the St. Louis Cardinals.

The 60-year-old could have been content with his managerial career that included a World Series title, two N.L. Manager of the Year awards and three division championships.

But he wasn’t – so Leyland accepted the challenge of trying to turn around the Detroit Tigers.

Detroit signed Leyland on Tuesday to a three-year contract to replace manager Alan Trammell, who was fired a day earlier after three seasons.

Leyland found he was regretting his last experience as a manager six years ago in Colorado more than he was reminiscing about leading the Florida Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates.

“I did a lousy job my last year of managing,” Leyland said. “I stunk because I was burned out. When I left there, I sincerely believed that I would not manage again.

“I always missed the competition, but the last couple of years – and this stuck in my craw a little bit, I did not want my managerial career to end like that.”

Leyland worked with current Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski during Florida’s World Series championship in 1997. Dombrowski decided to fire Trammell last month and knew Leyland would be on his short list if he had enough energy for the job.

Dombrowski saw and heard what he needed to from Leyland.

“That passion that Jim Leyland has had throughout his career is back within him to manage,” Dombrowski said.

Pirates interested in Tracy

Former Dodgers manager Jim Tracy appears to be the front-runner for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ job that opened last month when Lloyd McClendon was fired during his fifth consecutive losing season.

Tracy and Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield have ties dating to their days in the Montreal Expos’ organization, when Tracy managed at Double-A Harrisburg – his 1993 team had a 94-44 record – and Triple-A Ottawa, and Littlefield was a scouting supervisor and the director of player development.

Littlefield said he hasn’t spoken to Tracy but would do so within a day.

“We’ll be in contact soon,” Littlefield said. “He’s a strong candidate. He’s experienced – he’s managed on the minor league and big league level.”

Tracy went 427-383 in five seasons with the Dodgers.

Rangers GM Hart steps down

John Hart stepped down as general manager of the Texas Rangers, clearing the way for 28-year-old Jon Daniels to become the youngest GM in major league history.

Hart’s resignation came two days after the Rangers finished 79-83, their third losing season in four years under Hart and their fifth since winning the A.L. West in 1999.

Hart, whose teams won six division titles in his last seven years in Cleveland ending in 2001, will be replaced by Daniels, who at 28 years, 41 days, is about 10 months younger than Theo Epstein was when he became Boston’s GM on Nov. 25, 2002. Daniels was promoted from assistant GM, and Hart will remain a team consultant.

“Injured reliever Carlos Almanzar of the Rangers was suspended for the first 10 days of next season for violating baseball’s steroids policy.

Almanzar is the 10th major league player banned 10 days this year under the sport’s new policy, and the second Texas pitcher. Right-hander Agustin Montero was suspended on April 20.

“It’s disappointing, it really is,” Rangers owner Tom Hicks said. “Our players know the rules.” They know they are going to be tested. If any of them get caught, shame on them. I am disappointed.”

Indians want Millwood back

General manager Mark Shapiro has promised the Indians will make their best moneyball pitch to right-hander Kevin Millwood.

They can only hope it’s high enough.

Still stinging from the club’s collapse in the final week of the regular season, Shapiro said that the Indians will offer a multiyear contract to Millwood, the A.L.’s ERA champion who is eligible for free agency.

Millwood signed a one-year, $7.25 million deal last winter, then shrugged off a lack of run support and provided invaluable leadership to the Indians.