BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox have narrowed the candidates for general manager and still plan to hire one by early December, but they won't say if assistant GM Theo Epstein is under consideration.

No new names have emerged since their top choice, Oakland general manager Billy Beane, agreed last Saturday to take the job then turned it down the next day to stay near his daughter on the West Coast.

Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino said Thursday that fewer than five candidates remain after at least seven were interviewed and that second interviews were conducted by telephone with some. He refused to identify the remaining candidates and indicated there was an outside chance others might be considered.

Mike Arbuckle, Philadelphia's assistant general manager, has not heard from the Red Sox since he was interviewed Oct. 28, he told The Associated Press on Thursday night. He said that as of early this week, one other candidate, whom he declined to identify, had not been contacted again by the club.

"I've lost a total feel for what's going on,'' Arbuckle said. "When the Billy Beane thing exploded, they probably decided they were going to regroup for a few days. If it doesn't happen, I'm in a pretty good situation where I'm at.''

Lucchino refused comment when asked if he is considering the 28-year-old Epstein, who joined the Red Sox last March 24 as assistant to interim general manager Mike Port.

"I'm not going to talk about any particular candidates today,'' Lucchino said. "Thanks for the suggestion.''

Epstein was director of baseball operations for the San Diego Padres, where he worked with Lucchino.

One of Lucchino's first acts when he and John Henry completed their purchase of the team last February was to fire general manager Dan Duquette and promote Duquette's assistant, Port.

Port and Epstein represented the Red Sox at baseball's general managers' meetings, which ended Thursday in Tucson, Ariz. Port also has been a candidate.

"We're certainly under five'' candidates, Lucchino said. "It's possible that lightning could strike in the last week or two of the search because, remember, we said the winter meetings'' were the target.

"That's essential,'' he said. "That's when the real business of baseball begins to be conducted in earnest.''

The winter meetings are scheduled Dec. 13-16 in Nashville, Tenn.

In addition to Beane, those interviewed include New York Mets assistant GM Jim Duquette, Baltimore adviser Mike Flanagan, Cincinnati director of player personnel Leland Maddox, former Chicago White Sox general manager Ron Schueler, Port's special assistant, Lee Thomas and Arbuckle.

"I've been here (with Philadelphia) 10 years, and we've come along, and it would be nice to see the fruits of that labor,'' said Arbuckle, 51. The Phillies have been one of the most active teams in contacting big-name free agents this offseason.''

After the interview, Lucchino praised Arbuckle.

"He's a very experienced personnel evaluator and was highly prepared for the interview, exceptionally so,'' Lucchino said at the time. "I think the interview went well from our point of view.''

Epstein's youth could hurt him, but Lucchino said, "experience in the front office of a baseball team, we put that right near the top of the list (of qualifications), but it does not necessarily have to be as a GM, but it does have to be substantial front office experience.''

Epstein and Beane worked together briefly on arranging compensation to Oakland after Beane agreed to a deal estimated at $13 million over five years. Henry had no hard feelings over Beane's change of heart.

"You have to tip your hat to the man to turn down what he turned down to stay with that organization. It shows you what a great organization that is,'' Henry said. "I was very surprised. We had a deal, I think, that we were all, including Billy, celebrating over.

"He would have been, I think, a great general manager for the Boston Red Sox. I've always admired that (Oakland) franchise and I think it would have been a real blow. So I think things worked out the way they should have.''

Since Beane's rejection, a few new names "have surfaced,'' Lucchino said, "but, by and large, we think we've got a good pool of candidates to choose from.''