ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Willie Randolph, who has spent the past nine years as a coach with the New York Yankees, interviewed for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' managing job Monday.

Randolph is the fourth candidate to interview as a potential replacement for the fired Hal McRae.

A candidate for several managing jobs the past few years, Randolph met with Devil Rays general manager Chuck LaMar. He has interviewed with three of the four teams that still have an opening -- Tampa Bay, the New York Mets and Milwaukee.

''I enjoyed talking about what I can do for them,'' said Randolph, who has been a member of World Series championship teams as a player and coach.

Randolph said he has not been contacted by the Chicago Cubs, the other team currently looking for a manager. He interviewed with Detroit, which later hired Alan Trammell.

Randolph's interview came on the same day that Seattle said it will release manager and Tampa, Fla., resident Lou Piniella from the final year of his contract. The Mariners will seek compensation from teams who want to interview Piniella in exchange for releasing him.

Those clubs might include the Devil Rays and Mets.

''Each organization will do what they feel is best for them,'' Randolph said. ''I'm flattered that I'm in the mix. I look at these as opportunities''

Randolph, who almost went to Cincinnati before Bob Boone took that job two years ago, feels good about his recent interviews.

''But I don't want to let myself get too excited,'' Randolph said.

Yankees coach Lee Mazzilli, along with Tampa Bay coaches Billy Hatcher and Tom Foley, were interviewed last week. Bill Evers, who manages the Devil Rays' Triple-A Durham team, and Oakland coach Ken Macha are scheduled to be interviewed Tuesday and Friday, respectively.