Chiba Lotte Marines manager Bobby Valentine revealed Monday the Washington Nationals, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Los Angeles Dodgers have shown interest in hiring him as manager.
Valentine has attracted attention from major league teams after he last week guided the Marines to their first Japan Series title since 1974. His three-year contract with the Marines expires in 2006.
"I'll tell major league teams that we have one more year with Valentine. There is no doubt he'll be here next season," Lotte team representative Ryuzo Setoyama said.
Valentine said he expects the three major league teams will seek Lotte's permission to hold talks with him in the near future and expressed his readiness to listen to them even if he stays with the Marines.
In the majors, Valentine managed the Texas Rangers from 1985 to 1992 and the New York Mets from 1996 to 2002. He guided the Mets to the 2000 World Series against the New York Yankees.
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