SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners ended meetings with finalists for their vacant managerial opening Tuesday, and general manager Pat Gillick maintains he will announce Lou Piniella's successor "by the end of the week."

Buddy Bell and Bob Melvin met with team chairman Howard Lincoln, president Chuck Armstrong and Gillick one day after Jim Riggleman and Sam Perlozzo were re-interviewed.

"All four are eminently qualified," Armstrong said. "Frankly, I don't think we can go wrong with any of the four."

Perlozzo is bench coach for the Baltimore Orioles, while Riggleman holds the same position with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Melvin the same job with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Bell is a former manager of the Detroit Tigers and Colorado Rockies. Riggleman managed the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres.

The four were selected from 12 candidates brought in for initial interviews. A manager could be hired by the end of this week.

"It's clear all four of these candidates would be excellent major league managers," Armstrong said. "They came in well prepared and knowledgeable about our organization. I could not be more impressed."

After the final interviews, the front office met to review finalists. Armstrong said he and Lincoln will offer their opinions, but the final decision rests with Gillick.

Gillick emphasized that all four finalists remain in contention. He said the manager will be chosen based on a "gut feeling" about which will work best with Seattle's players and within the Mariners organization.

"We have to feel he has the ability to communicate, motivate and have the respect of the players," Gillick said.

Every candidate seemed to make a strong impression on the front office committee. Armstrong was asked about Bell.

"He has managed twice before," Armstrong said. "He brings maturity, he brings perspective, and he's obviously the most experienced of the four. He's been in player development. It's clear he's confident in himself."

Then again, Armstrong also felt strongly about Melvin.

"He really impressed us," Armstrong said. "We asked him some very pointed questions. He's been through a lot down there in Arizona. We think he was a big part of the managerial success they had."

Piniella was hired last month by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. After 10 seasons in Seattle, he asked to be released from his contract so he could be closer to his family in Florida.

"It's going to be a tough selection," Armstrong said.