Before the New York Yankees went on their postseason run to the ALCS, there were major questions about whether the franchise wanted manager Joe Girardi to return for another season. However, that postseason run seemingly saved his job - but he still may not be back.
Why?
On Monday's ESPN Baseball Tonight podcast, host Buster Olney said that the Yankees still choose to let Girardi walk if he asks for a pay raise.
"The Yankees managerial position now is an open question because Joe Girardi's contract is expiring right now." Olney said. "He's finishing up a four-year, $16M deal. He addressed his future with reporters after the Yankees were eliminated on Saturday. He seemed to indicate to reporters that, all things being equal, he would prefer to come back--but it's not all his decision.
"I still feel like this relationship has probably reached an expiration date," Olney said. "I do think a tipping point in these negotiations will be what's Joe's looking for. If Joe's looking for a big bump--to be at or at the top of the heap of managers in terms of what they are making--I think the Yankees leadership is at the point where, hey, managers aren't that big in terms of being difference makers. If Joe asks for a huge contract, a huge raise, I wouldn't be surprised if the Yankees move in another direction."
After the Yankees were eliminated in Game 7 of the ALCS by the Astros, Girardi expressed a desire to return to the Yankees.
"I love what I do," Girardi said. "I'll sit down, talk to my wife and my kids and see where they're at and what they're thinking. And then we'll see what the Yankees are thinking."
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Girardi has been New York's manager since 2008, posting a 910-710 record while leading the Yankees to their last World Series title in 2009.
Girardi was the fourth-highest paid manager in the MLB this season behind the Chicago Cubs' Joe Maddon, Los Angeles Angels' Mike Scioscia, and San Francisco Giants' Bruce Bochy,
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