BOSTON -- The Red Sox have received permission to interview Philadelphia Phillies scouting director Mike Arbuckle for Boston's vacant general manager job.

A Phillies spokesman confirmed Monday that Philadelphia GM Ed Wade spoke with Red Sox officials at the World Series and gave them permission to talk to the 51-year-old Arbuckle, who had previously interviewed for the general manager vacancies in Toronto and Pittsburgh.

Arbuckle will be the first outside candidate to be interviewed. Boston interim general manager Mike Port is also a candidate.

Montreal GM Omar Minaya and former Yankees GM Gene Michael withdrew their names from consideration after Boston asked for permission to interview them.

Former Oakland GM Sandy Alderson, an executive vice president in the commissioner's office, and Athletics general manager Billy Beane also have been mentioned as possible replacements for Port, who took over when Dan Duquette was fired in spring training.

The Athletics have not responded to a request to interview Beane, who signed a four-year contract extension this spring.