The Rangers are hoping to have a new hitting coach on the payroll by the end of next week, if their timetable for the interview process isn't disrupted.

Team officials started calling potential candidates Monday, with the goal of trimming the list to four or five by Friday. Finalists would come to town early next week.

General manager Jon Daniels and manager Ron Washington have been meeting this week at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, and both will interview candidates next week.

"There hasn't been a decision," Washington said. "Next week, we'll have it down to a workable group, and hopefully by the end of next week, we have a guy."

The Rangers have contacted most of the candidates on their preliminary list, including former big-league hitting coaches Thad Bosley, Carney Lansford and Gerald Perry. Former Colorado manager Clint Hurdle is also being considered, along with Rangers Hall of Famer Rusty Greer.

Toby Harrah, also in the Rangers Hall of Fame, and Triple-A Oklahoma City hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh will not be interviewed.

The Rangers must replace Rudy Jaramillo, who spent the past 15 seasons as their hitting coach. On Oct. 14, Jaramillo turned down a one-year offer for $545,000 to return and was hired last week by the Chicago Cubs on a three-year deal worth $2.4 million.

Daniels and Washington have said they want to hire a coach who will stress situational hitting and help each batter become a tougher out.

Potential owner visits: Former sports agent Dennis Gilbert, a special assistant with the Chicago White Sox, met Wednesday with Rangers officials as he continues to pursue buying the club from Hicks Sports Group.

Gilbert is the third and final potential owner to come to Rangers Ballpark the past two weeks. Daniels and team president Nolan Ryan took part in the meetings.

Houston businessman Jim Crane and Pittsburgh attorney Chuck Greenberg met with officials last week.

The next step is to submit final bids, which a source said are due in late November. The winning bid is expected to be for at least $500 million.

A sale might not be completed until January or later depending on how quickly the new owner is approved by the other 29 major league club owners.