Yankees Offer Manager's Job to Joe Girardi

Oct 29, 05:39 PM

Current Headlines: By Kat O'Brien, Newsday, Melville, N.Y.

Oct. 29--Joe Girardi has been offered the job as the Yankees' manager, a source confirmed this afternoon.

Girardi is not expected to wait long to accept the offer, which is believed to be for three years and close to $6 million. He will be taking over for Joe Torre, who declined a one-year offer Oct. 18th after taking the Yankees to 12 postseason berths in 12 years and four World Series titles.

"The Yankees have offered Joe the opportunity to become their next manager," Steve Mandell, Girardi's agent, told ESPN.com. "Discussions are ongoing."

The choice of Girardi over Yankees legend Don Mattingly ends weeks of speculation and could wind up pushing the much-loved Mattingly away from the organiztion.

Girardi was the National League Manager of the Year with the Marlins in 2006, his only year as manager. He was fired after the season due to a rift with ownership and management, but the Yankees are comfortable that the problems he had there will not be problems in New York.

Mattingly had been a longtime favorite of owner George Steinbrenner. With Steinbrenner, 77, less active due to ailing health, his sons, Hank and Hal, left the decision largely to general manager Brian Cashman. The Yankees interviewed Girardi last Monday, Mattingly Tuesday and Tony Pena Wednesday. Cashman took the next few days to think things over before making a recommendation to ownership.

Girardi has been in demand. He was offered the job of Orioles manager in June, and there was speculation that the Dodgers were interested if he did not get the Yankees' job. He worked as a commentator for FOX during the playoffs.

A formal press conference could take place Tuesday to introduce Girardi as manager.

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