Minnesota expected to bring back coaches, give Gardenhire an extension

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins in the next few days are expected to wrap up negotiations with manager Ron Gardenhire on a contract extension and sign the coaching staff for at least one more year, according to a person with knowledge of the talks.

Gardenhire, whose current contract expires following the 2009 season, arrived in Fort Myers, Fla., on Wednesday as the club prepares for its annual organizational meetings that start later this week. He usually attends the meetings to offer input and to work with prospects who are participating in the fall instructional league, which runs until Saturday.

This time, he's expected to huddle with general manager Bill Smith and hammer out an extension -- although Gardenhire historically makes sure his coaching staff is taken care of before he addresses his deal.

The members of the coaching staff -- bench coach Steve Liddle, hitting coach Joe Vavra, pitching coach Rick Anderson, bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek, first base coach Jerry White and third base coach Scott Ullger -- were told late in the season that they were wanted back in 2009.

Smith only would confirm Wednesday that Gardenhire was coming to town and that they would speak to each other.

But earlier in the week, Smith said: "You know how highly this organization thinks of Ron Gardenhire and the entire coaching staff."

Gardenhire has a career record of 622-512 and only has had one losing season in seven years as manager.

Radcliff stays put

The Seattle Mariners are hunting for a general manager and recently contacted the Twins for permission to speak with Mike Radcliff, the Twins' vice president of player personnel.

Radcliff declined to interview and will remain with the Twins.

Tigers interview coordinator Knapp

Twins minor league pitching coordinator Rick Knapp, who has been instrumental in developing prospects into major leaguers, is one of four candidates to have interviewed for the vacant Detroit Tigers pitching coach position.

Knapp was interviewed by Tigers manager Jim Leyland for 80 minutes on Tuesday at Detroit's year-round facility in Lakeland, Fla.

The Tigers are expected to name a new pitching coach in the next few days.