Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Yankees Hire Girardi

via ESPN, the Yankees make it official and hire Joe Girardi to replace Joe Torre as manager. Girardi beat out former Yankee 1B Don Mattingly and Coach Tony Pena for the job. Coaches are expected to include former Cubs pitcher Mike Harkey (likely as pitching coach), Pena, Kevin Long and Rob Thompson. Former Yankee OF Paul O'Neil, a good personal friend of Girardi, has expressed interest in a coaching position as well. Torre is widely expected to be offered the job of managing the LA Dodgers, and Mattingly is expected to join him there. Mattingly's son Preston is in the Dodger's farm system.

The biggest issue for Girardi and Yankee GM Brian Cashman is the status of free agents such as RP Mariano Rivera, C Jorge Posada, and SP Andy Pettitte, who has a $16 million player option, but has also contemplated retiring. 3B Alex Rodriguez has exercised his option to explore free agency and is not expected to return to the team.

2 comments:

Bob said...

Don't you think Joe G needs a seasoned guy for his bench coach? He needs someone to run interference with the front office. He and O'Neill might be a little too fresh.

Kalthalior said...

I don't believe Girardi would hire Paul as his bench coach, but maybe as a hitting or outfield coach. It will be interesting to see how he assembles his staff.