Joe Girardi pulled himself out of contention for the Washington Nationals manager's job, bringing him closer to a return to the Yankees bench.
Here's the story, from The Washington Post.
Deep down in the story Girardi said the Yankees didn't factor into his decision. Whether you want to believe Girardi, well, that's your choice.
"That has nothing to do with it," Girardi told the paper. "I have too much respect for Joe Torre to ever think like that. I think Joe should manage as long as he wants. I had no thoughts about the Yankees in making this decision."
Comments (14)
You know, the old George would really mess with the coaching staff to get on his managers nerves. Tell me the George of 1985 wouldn't hire David Wells as his bench coach.
Hey Jim: I'd like to see some discussion about the Yankees in the post-George era and what everyone thinks will happen. Frankly, I've worried about this for a while. I don't want his son in law to run the team like most owners do, because we're pretty spoiled by George.
The speculation over the coaching staff is akin to going to a fight and waiting for the preliminaries bouts to end. We all want to see what will happen in the "Main Event". What will we get for A-ROD? The answer to that question will determine whether we win another World Series, or are just sitting around in mid October again.
Other than the coaching staff getting worked around, they need to do something about that pitching staff and bullpen.
1)Extend Sheffields option then trade him for pitching.
2)DON'T resign moose.
3)Let Giambi be our permanent DH and have sign a 1b during the offseason
4)Try to sign that japanese pitcher, but by the looks of it he might go to seattle.
5)Find a taker for pavano and get something back in return.
6)TRADE AROD but that aint going to happen
7)Ask Randy to retire... I know its a stretch but he aint worth a dime any longer
Next years pitching staff should look like this:
WANG,
KARSTENS,
HUGHES(i know hes young, but they can't baby the boy any longer, lets see what he got) or GARCIA, KENNEDY
RASNER
I know they don't have alot of MLB experience, but come on now we need to breath new life in this team next year.
Chris: Your proposed pitching staff is quite young and inexperienced. It would have us on the edge of our seats. This is for sure. I hope that the Yankees can do better than your proposal.
I don't think the fans would go for Chris' pitching staff at all. I can understand working Hughes in slowly, but not 3 or 4 new starters in one year, w/ little exp. Not with the lineup they have.
I'd sign Moose to be a no. 3 at best, sign the Japanese guy, and hope Unit heals because Pavano and Wright are untradeable.
A-ROD for starting pitching is our best chance to get back to the World Series. We could even sign Soriano, throw in Cano and Farnsworth, and work a 3 or 4 team deal. We can get a couple good starters and a couple good relievers. A-Rod will consent to a deal. I don't think he can handle another season being compared to Jeter, while playing alongside him. The new Yankee 3rd baseman would be Aramis Ramirez, whether he is involved in the trade, or just signed as a free agent.
I agree A-Rod for starting pitching is pretty much the only shot we have but the choices are limited because not many teams can afford him. Obviously the Angels are the best fit with their bankroll and pitching depth. Farnsworth is pretty much untradeable with that contract. I wouldn't move Cano, he's a young guy on an old team and we need some hope for the future.
Aramis only plays well in contract years, I'd like to get Joe Crede if A-Rod is moved.
Larry, I am so disappointed in you.
Why would you say something like that?
You know full well that EXPERIENCE is so overrated.
How many times do I have to tell you people that experience got us nowhere.
Meanwhile, having NO experience doesn't seem to hurt the Tigers too much right now.
One more thing.
This is why I call you guys dumb.
After experiencing what we went through, just a few weeks removed from getting eliminated, you guys are back to the "we've got to get this guy, we need more experience, can't trust the youngsters, etc."
Do you all have thick skulls?
Dumb.
I was right all along.
Watch next year, after refilling up with another bunch of experienced players and then getting beaten yet again by another young, up and coming team, all you fans will whine about how we need to dump this jerk or that loser, but two weeks later, talk about getting more experience players.
If that's not dumb, tell me what is.
Eric; Don't be disappointed hear what I'm saying, Youth is great but Wang, Rasner,Karstens,Garcia or kennedy and Hughes was the proposed starting rotation. I have no problem with Wang (19 wins. In fact I like Rasner over Karstens. He's not a hard thrower but could get us 12-15 wins because he throws strikes. How would we get Garcia and Kennedy as trade for A-rod. This would be unloading the best player in baseball for at best number 4 or 5 pitcher who the Yankees feast on. I would trade Giambi but Chicago has a very good DH in Thome or to San Diegio. Karstens similar to Rasner but its a gut feeling reminds me of Aaron Small not long for the big leagues with his under powered stuff. Everything that I hear about Hughes is great but he's young really just a year removed from High School. Has not pitched college ball or AAA. The most innings pitched were 146 this year. We need 200 innings. This could be the end of a great career becasuse of our impatienece. Middle of next year fine. Give him a taste of the big stage. I not afraid of his ego. Its about the physical soundness of his arm. I think the yanks should resign Mussina as 4/5 starter. Randy if healthy is 4/5. We need 2 and 3 starting pitchers. I believe that we can replace 2 starters and succeed but not 4 of them. Hughes could replace Mussina or Johnson who will crash with an injury. Don't forget we have Pavano who we owe 10 million to and has a very low market rate. Things are not so great with our starters and Chris's rotation was not going to get us 90 wins. The relief pitching would be overused as it was this year. There are no quick fixes unless the yanks trade A-rod which I believe will not occur unless the yanks are stonewalled into this situation by other teams not willing to trade or A deal that we can't refuse. It must include a 2 or3 starter. A power righty hitting 3rd baseman. I'm for a youth movement this is the reason for Melky in LF full time and Cano at second. I prefer to trade Giambi which would move Matsui to full time DH. We have some chips to unload to get some pitching. Let's say I prefer a blend of youth and experience.
the problem with bringing up hughes early next season is he's not ready to throw 180-200 innings yet. he's too young. keep him in columbus until july. put him on a limited innings count, the way boston did with jon lester last summer. then bring the kid up when it's time to get serious in the pennant race.
ARod is not going anywhere. It would have to be an overwhelming offer. Then ARod would have to accept it and he won't if it will mean being in another Texas situation.
As for the pitching they should resign Mussina. They should try to get the japanese pitcher. The Yankees would still have Wang. I am not sure that Johnson will be around due to the back surgery.
Hopefully Hughes will be ready by mid season. If not Cashman can see where the Yankees are and act accordingly.
Remember '95 when Watson got Cone. There is time; the Yankees should win the division next year. The issue is pitching in the playoffs
What top flight pitcher is available anyway? Most of these GM's have half a brain and are not going to ruin their teams by trading top flight pitching at any cost.
If the last few years have taught anyone anything it is that it is ALL about the pitching. What makes anyone think that opposing GM's will be willing to help the Yankees?