Seattle’s Bill Bavasi is the latest general manager likely to find himself in the unemployment line. He was in good shape before the Mariners lost 15 of 17 to fall to the distant outskirts of contention. The Phillies’ Pat Gillick also is taking heat after his off-season pitching moves — the signing of Adam Eaton and trade for Freddy Garcia — blew up on him. … Bob Watson is a surprising name in the mix in Houston. He did good work as a GM with the Astros in 1994-95 and Yankees in 1996-97 before moving to MLB headquarters. He grew up in Los Angeles but lives in Houston. … Bartolo Colon is back in the Angels’ rotation but is viewed as a long shot for the postseason roster. Manager Mike Scioscia is looking to John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders as his rotation. … Andy Pettitte says he’ll either play for the Yankees next season or retire. He has been such a force in the second half (9-2, 3.14 before he gave up four earned runs and nine hits in four innings Friday night against Boston) that New York might consider an extension to get him back. … Horrible teams didn’t stop Ozzie Guillen and Joe Maddon from receiving contract extensions, but Red Sox manager Terry Francona remains unsigned beyond 2008. He will get a new deal at some point but not as many years as Guillen, whose contract inexplicably runs through 2012. … The Twins’ Kevin Slowey allowed 17 home runs in 354 minor-league innings but has given up 16 in 48 innings since coming to Minnesota. … Put the complete game on the endangered-species list. Four teams (Florida, Washington, Atlanta and Texas) entered the weekend without one. Never before has any team gone through a full season without one. … Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon, who orchestrated the Ducks’ 39-7 victory over Michigan, was a fifth-round pick of the Braves. He signed as an outfielder and played 28 games in the low minors before leaving for his senior season at Oregon.
