Managerial Intrigue: Joe Girardi Out as Yankees Manager

The New York Yankees got within one win of the World Series in 2017, despite not being expected to make the playoffs.  In the middle of a quick rebuild, manager Joe Girardi led the Yankees to one of the American League Wild Cards and advanced all the way through game seven of the American League Champion Series.  But that was not enough for the New York Yankees.

Girardi told media, including the New York Post, that it was the New York Yankees will not be bringing him back.

“With a heavy heart, I come to you because the Yankees have decided not to bring me back,” Girardi said in a statement released by his agent. “I’d like to thank the Steinbrenner family for believing in me and giving me this wonderful opportunity.”

Girardi's contract was up at the end of 2017, as was general manager Brian Cashman.  Cashman, however, seems to have a job next season.

The Phillies have yet to name a manager and the move adds intrigue to the two current managerial vacancies in Philadelphia and in Washington.  The Phillies reportedly met with Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell yesterday, an indication they are willing to look at the bigger names.  Girardi certainly be a big name on the managerial market.

In another Phillies-related twist, the same New York Post report says that the Yankees could consider Pete Mackanin, dismissed by the Phillies:

Another name to consider should there be an opening is Pete Mackanin who was a pro scout for the Yankees in 2013 before coaching third base for the 2014 Phillies. In 2015 Mackanin took over when Ryne Sandberg was fired. A year later the interim tag was removed and Mackanin signed a three-year deal. This past September the Phillies informed Mackanin he wouldn’t return to the dugout. Instead he was shifted to the front office with one year remaining on his contract.

Mackanin scouted Masahiro Tanaka, who the Yankees signed from Japan and is a key piece of their starting rotation.

Whatever happens, it is clear that the Phillies managerial search is not over yet, even though a report yesterday said that the Phillies were "zeroing in" on Dusty Wathan for the position.   A big name such as Girardi or Farrell may be too tempting to resist, despite Wathan being held in high esteem.  Stay tuned.