After just one season in a coaching capacity, Joe Girardi has put himself in a position to be choosy.

 

The Yankees' bench coach told New York's WFAN Radio on Thursday that even if both the Marlins and Devil Rays offer him a chance to manage, he might stay put.

 

"I think I have a very good chance of getting one of these jobs, but to me the situation has to be right," Girardi said. "I'm not sure exactly what that means, but it has to be right for me to leave."

 

Asked if he needed assurances his next employer was committed to winning, Girardi answered cryptically.

 

"That's part of it," he said. "But you know there's other opportunities that I'm thinking about that could possibly open up later on. I'm not sure."

 

Girardi, who lives in Chicago, could have his eye on the Cubs managing job, where Dusty Baker might be on shaky ground. Girardi also is considered the top in-house candidate to replace Yankees manager Joe Torre should he leave.

 

Girardi, who turns 41 today, said he planned to meet again with the Devil Rays. That interview is scheduled for Sunday.

 

He also expects to have further talks with the Marlins, who could insist on retaining final approval over the next manager's coaching staff.

 

"I'm not exactly sure where we are with the Marlins," Girardi said. "But I know they're going to call my agent probably in the next couple days."

 

Steve Mandell, Girardi's agent, did not immediately return a cell phone message.

 

According to a major league source, the Marlins have not yet offered Girardi the job but he remains their preferred choice. However, the Marlins have grown wary of the Devil Rays' bid for Girardi.

 

"You can look and see the Marlins are two years removed from the World Series," the source said, "but whoever goes to Tampa Bay is walking into a great situation."

 

Meanwhile, the Marlins discussed everything from the manager's job to a possible front-office position in Tuesday's 90-minute phone interview with former Mariners pitching coach Bryan Price. Former Devil Rays coach Tom Foley is scheduled to interview today in South Florida.

 

"We basically had a conversation more than anything," Price said. "I'm not on the edge of my seat thinking they're going to call me with a multiyear contract offer to manage their club."

 

Price also is up for pitching-coach jobs with the Diamondbacks and Tigers.

 

Braves third-base coach Fredi Gonzalez, considered a strong second choice behind Girardi, said the Marlins discussed potential coaches with him but made no demands.

 

"We talked about staff members, some guys they had in mind, some guys I had in mind," Gonzalez said. "But nothing was set in stone."

 

If Girardi balks, the Marlins could turn their attention to established names such as Lou Piniella, Ken Macha or Jerry Manuel.

 

Piniella, a guest TV analyst at the American League playoffs, was complimentary of the Marlins and owner Jeffrey Loria.

 

"They play well. They've got a good ballclub, they really do," Piniella said. "I know Jeff. He's a good man, he really is. I saw him this past summer. He enjoys winning."

 

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-mar...ports-headlines

 

I'm liking Girardi for the Marlins less and less. I still prefer Fredi... and would frankly love Piniella. Both those guys speak Spanish.

macha!

After just one season in a coaching capacity, Joe Girardi has put himself in a position to be choosy.

 

The Yankees' bench coach told New York's WFAN Radio on Thursday that even if both the Marlins and Devil Rays offer him a chance to manage, he might stay put.

 

"I think I have a very good chance of getting one of these jobs, but to me the situation has to be right," Girardi said. "I'm not sure exactly what that means, but it has to be right for me to leave."

 

Asked if he needed assurances his next employer was committed to winning, Girardi answered cryptically.

 

"That's part of it," he said. "But you know there's other opportunities that I'm thinking about that could possibly open up later on. I'm not sure."

 

Girardi, who lives in Chicago, could have his eye on the Cubs managing job, where Dusty Baker might be on shaky ground. Girardi also is considered the top in-house candidate to replace Yankees manager Joe Torre should he leave.

 

Girardi, who turns 41 today, said he planned to meet again with the Devil Rays. That interview is scheduled for Sunday.

 

He also expects to have further talks with the Marlins, who could insist on retaining final approval over the next manager's coaching staff.

 

"I'm not exactly sure where we are with the Marlins," Girardi said. "But I know they're going to call my agent probably in the next couple days."

 

Steve Mandell, Girardi's agent, did not immediately return a cell phone message.

 

According to a major league source, the Marlins have not yet offered Girardi the job but he remains their preferred choice. However, the Marlins have grown wary of the Devil Rays' bid for Girardi.

 

"You can look and see the Marlins are two years removed from the World Series," the source said, "but whoever goes to Tampa Bay is walking into a great situation."

 

Meanwhile, the Marlins discussed everything from the manager's job to a possible front-office position in Tuesday's 90-minute phone interview with former Mariners pitching coach Bryan Price. Former Devil Rays coach Tom Foley is scheduled to interview today in South Florida.

 

"We basically had a conversation more than anything," Price said. "I'm not on the edge of my seat thinking they're going to call me with a multiyear contract offer to manage their club."

 

Price also is up for pitching-coach jobs with the Diamondbacks and Tigers.

 

Braves third-base coach Fredi Gonzalez, considered a strong second choice behind Girardi, said the Marlins discussed potential coaches with him but made no demands.

 

"We talked about staff members, some guys they had in mind, some guys I had in mind," Gonzalez said. "But nothing was set in stone."

 

If Girardi balks, the Marlins could turn their attention to established names such as Lou Piniella, Ken Macha or Jerry Manuel.

 

Piniella, a guest TV analyst at the American League playoffs, was complimentary of the Marlins and owner Jeffrey Loria.

 

"They play well. They've got a good ballclub, they really do," Piniella said. "I know Jeff. He's a good man, he really is. I saw him this past summer. He enjoys winning."

 

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-mar...ports-headlines

 

I'm liking Girardi for the Marlins less and less. I still prefer Fredi... and would frankly love Piniella. Both those guys speak Spanish.

he sure does have an attitude, for someone who has no track record as a manager

Yup, he does. I like the confidence, but I think he's taking it too far. F him.

Fredi !Fredi! Fredi! All I heard last year was whining from the "lippy latins" on the club about how the old man didn't relate. He lost the team, at least by midseason if not earlier. Now Jeffery, you have a chance to remedy this by going with Fredi. He's latin, he knows South Florida, he knows the Marlins certainly better than Yankee Joe, he'll be cheaper, and he can speak directly to the large South Florida latin population and tell them to get off their butts ,quit being front runners, and get out to JRS and support the team. Last but not least, he's earned it with his MANY years of service with the Braves (learning from Bobby Cox, the best) and mostly with the Marlins. THIS GUY DESERVES IT, not Yankee Joe and his Yankee retreads.

Fredi !Fredi! Fredi! All I heard last year was whining from the "lippy latins" on the club about how the old man didn't relate. He lost the team, at least by midseason if not earlier. Now Jeffery, you have a chance to remedy this by going with Fredi. He's latin, he knows South Florida, he knows the Marlins certainly better than Yankee Joe, he'll be cheaper, and he can speak directly to the large South Florida latin population and tell them to get off their butts ,quit being front runners, and get out to JRS and support the team. Last but not least, he's earned it with his MANY years of service with the Braves (learning from Bobby Cox, the best) and mostly with the Marlins. THIS GUY DESERVES IT, not Yankee Joe and his Yankee retreads.

 

 

:thumbup

Geez, what do you guys what him to say, "please, oh pretty please I want the job so much, I'm ready to sign on the dotted line, I'll be your lapdog"?

 

These are significant negotiations and a major career decision for Girardi, not to mention if given the opportunity to create a bidding war for your services, there isn't a person here who wouldn't do the same thing.

 

It's just business.

I agree. Joe Girardi is an absolute class act. He understood his position when Posada first came up and did his best to teach Posada how to be a better catcher knowing full well that this guy was going to take his position.

 

I think he's putting himself into a position to take control of the bidding process.

I'm liking Girardi for the Marlins less and less. I still prefer Fredi... and would frankly love Piniella. Both those guys speak Spanish.

 

 

We all know already you prefer Gonzalez. Don't know what is the source of your infatuation with a guy whose only credentials, according to your comments, is his hispanic heritage. That whole ethnicity crap is so overrated... :banghead

Girardi's comments do raise a question of how he views an opportunity with the Marlins. Is it nothing more than a short term move and a stepping stone to a better opportunity?

 

Fredi certainly would view it as a longer term career move. He has roots in Miami and would be here to stay provided he is successful and everything works out. I'm still leaning towards Gonzalez.

Girardi's comments do raise a question of how he views an opportunity with the Marlins. Is it nothing more than a short term move and a stepping stone to a better opportunity?

 

Fredi certainly would view it as a longer term career move. He has roots in Miami and would be here to stay provided he is successful and everything works out. I'm still leaning towards Gonzalez.

 

I think Girardi's heart is in Chicago and/or New York. He may make it very difficult for our FO to hire, since it may take too much (giving up control and money).

Girardi should have just kept his mouth shut if thats the type of comments he wants to make. First of all he downplayed us saying, well maybe something 'better' will pop up next year, and then he claims Tampa is good too.

 

How the f is Tampa good? They have a history of being bottom dwellers, and ownership who pockets the revenue sharing from MLB and puts the cheapest team they can out on the field.

 

Girardi is talking like he has Pinella's credentials.

Girardi should have just kept his mouth shut if thats the type of comments he wants to make. First of all he downplayed us saying, well maybe something 'better' will pop up next year, and then he claims Tampa is good too.

 

How the f is Tampa good? They have a history of being bottom dwellers, and ownership who pockets the revenue sharing from MLB and puts the cheapest team they can out on the field.

 

Girardi is talking like he has Pinella's credentials.

 

So you expect him to say they suck and won't contend for a while and still have a chance at getting the D-Rays' job? He's just weighing every option at this point. Can't blame him for that. He's arguably the best candidate out there.

He should have kept quiet is what I'm saying. When he gets an offer he likes then he can start publicly praising his team all he wants.

Two positives if he stays with the Yankees:

 

1) Freddy

2) Mark Wiley

I'm liking Girardi for the Marlins less and less. I still prefer Fredi... and would frankly love Piniella. Both those guys speak Spanish.

 

 

We all know already you prefer Gonzalez. Don't know what is the source of your infatuation with a guy whose only credentials, according to your comments, is his hispanic heritage. That whole ethnicity crap is so overrated... :banghead

 

I never said that his only credential is his Hispanic heritage. Where did I say that?

 

These are his credentials:

 

Managed in the minor leagues for many years and was successful - named minor league manager of the year three times by BA

3rd Base Coach for Marlins

3rd Base Coach for the Braves

Worked under Bobby Cox, one of the great managers of all time

Is from So. Florida - meaning he probably would like to be here long-term

He speaks both Spanish and English

 

 

Does Girardi have the same credentials? I don't think he does. Doesn't mean he isn't the best candidate.

 

On a side note, I am hoping we start talking to Lou Piniella soon. He's a great baseball man... plus he speaks Spanish.

I want Gonzalez or Sweet Lou

Could the Boss be influencing his decision if he wants to push Torre out the door by telling him he(Girardi) would replace him?

I just hope the Marlins don't spend too much time chasing Girardi while other candidates are getting scooped up by other teams

Fredi please....

macha!

 

Thats not happening now.

I don't like the idea of Pinella... This is such a relaxed team with such a laid-back atmosphere, I think he might be the wrong fit. I'd rather have Mike Mordecai than him... My first choice is still Joe.

I just hope the Marlins don't spend too much time chasing Girardi while other candidates are getting scooped up by other teams

 

 

:thumbup

Giardi is getting a lot of hype, the D-Rays want him, the Cubs want him, even the Yanks. Then again, Lou did a pretty gppd thing with the rays in the second half and has like 3 world titles under his belt, I would not mind lou.

 

Gonzalez is getting a lot of positive feed back from bobby cox, that is a great sign with his records. It almost looks likea win win situation, but I would rather look more into Lou, he actually has records to show, Giardi might be over hyped for all we know.

 

I just want a manager that can not only pick up where Jack left off but who can find us a great Bull Pen and can manage the pitching staff well, even though we lead both leagues in Shut - Outs, it was mainly because of Dontrelle's ability to pitch CG, I want a bull pen and closer that won't let us down, I just hope we can keep Todd aswell.

Giardi is getting a lot of hype, the D-Rays want him, the Cubs want him, even the Yanks. Then again, Lou did a pretty gppd thing with the rays in the second half and has like 3 world titles under his belt, I would not mind lou.

 

Gonzalez is getting a lot of positive feed back from bobby cox, that is a great sign with his records. It almost looks likea win win situation, but I would rather look more into Lou, he actually has records to show, Giardi might be over hyped for all we know.

 

I just want a manager that can not only pick up where Jack left off but who can find us a great Bull Pen and can manage the pitching staff well, even though we lead both leagues in Shut - Outs, it was mainly because of Dontrelle's ability to pitch CG, I want a bull pen and closer that won't let us down, I just hope we can keep Todd aswell.

 

It's Beinfest's job to "find" a good bullpen, not the manager's. And managing the staff doesn't necessarily mean getting them to pitch complete games.

 

It doesn't matter what Piniella has done in the past. The question is, does his style fit the team? Does his in-game managing help our team? Girardi has been praised for his knowledge of the game and his style seems to fit our team. He did spend a year under Torre as bench coach.