The New York Yankees and manager Joe Girardi have mutually agreed to part ways. Girardi had managed the Yankees since 2008, highlighted by a 2009 World Series title. He never finished below .500 with New York and just finished a four-year, $16 million deal. However, he was looking for a pay raise, which New York was not willing to give him.
This decision has now created the most desirable opening in the sport. New York has a promising young team with money to spend on free agents. The Yankees do have some promising in-house options, but we also know this franchise likes to make a splash with their hires and own the headlines.
So, who could the Yankees target as Girardi's replacement? Here are six options:
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6) Jerry Hairston Jr.
Two new names circulating around the MLB for potential candidates as Yankees new manager are Jerry Hairston Jr. Hairston is in serious consideration because the Yankees are looking for a younger, cheaper coach who will be able to connect with the young Yankees roster. Hairston played for the Yankees in 2009 when they won the World Series.
5) DeMarlo Hale, Toronto Blue Jays bench coach
Hale is one of the most respected coaches in the league, having been in the bigs since 2002. However, he doesn't have any managerial experience at the major league level but posted a 615-633 record in nine seasons as a manager in the minors, winning Eastern League Manager of the Year in 1999. Are they willing to gamble on him?
4) Fredi Gonzalez, Miami Marlins third base coach
Gonzalez has had a very up-and-down career as a manager in the majors. After being hired by the Marlins in 2007, he led them to winning seasons in 2008 and 2009 despite working with the league's lowest payroll. He was then fired halfway through the 2010 season and was hired by the Atlanta Braves at the end of the year. Gonzalez experienced success in Atlanta, making the playoffs twice, but was fired after a 9–28 start in 2016 (a record thanks in large part to Atlanta's rebuilding effort). He spent last season as Miami's third base coach.
3) Al Pedrique, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders manager
Pedrique has worked his way up through the Yankees farm system over the last five years, spending one season managing Low-A Charleston, High-A Tampa, Double-A Trenton before just finishing his second year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The RailRiders have been extremely successful under him, going 177-107 while making the league finals both years - and winning the class title in 2016. His success in the minors makes him a serious candidate.
Pedrique has been a manager in the majors before, stepping in for the final 83 game for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004 after they fired Bob Brenly midseason. However, he only won 22 of those games.
2) Tony Pena, New York Yankees first base coach
In terms of in-house options, Pena is the best candidate and may very well get the job if New York goes "best man for the job" instead of searching for a splashy hire. Pena has been with the Yankees since he was fired as a first base coach in 2005 and has the respect of the clubhouse. He previously interviewed for the job following the 2007 season before being passed over for Girardi, then interviewed for the Red Sox manager job in 2011 before that was given to Bobby Valentine. Pena's last managerial experience came in 2013 when he led the Dominican Republic to the World Baseball Classic title.
1) Don Mattingly, Miami Marlins manager
Want a splashy hire? Here ya go. Mattingly has spent the last two seasons in Miami after a five-year stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers and has experienced success everywhere he's been. He led the Dodgers to the playoffs three times - though they only won one series during his tenure - and is 156-167 with a Marlins team that doesn't have the most talent. Mattingly was a great and beloved player for the Yankees during his career, and those ties certainly make him a favorite for this position.
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