THE LIFE OF BRIAN
GM faces big week of building Yank staff, sealing own deal
It figures to be a busy week for Brian Cashman, who has several items on his offseason to-do-list.
First and foremost, presumably, getting his own contract situation taken care of — as it is widely anticipated that Cashman will get another multi-year deal to continue as GM of the Yankees.
The Bombers currently have the only managerial opening in MLB, now that Dave Martinez has taken over in D.C. and Gabe Kapler has taken over in Philadelphia. That means ex-skipper Joe Girardi, who was not asked back by Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner, is out of options, with perhaps a year in TV ahead.
Cashman is currently in the process of replacing the accomplished Girardi, who averaged 91 wins during his decade at the helm, while also leading the Yankees to the 2009 World Series title.
It will be difficult, finding the perfect candidate, but the GM clearly believes it can be done, landing someone who checks all the boxes on a highly-intriguing yet pressure-packed job. Two that could fit the next “A.J. Hinch-Dave Roberts” mold: Raul Ibanez and Jerry Hairston Jr.
Hairston Jr., who was connected to the vacancy by Ken Rosenthal over the weekend, currently works as an analyst for SportsNet LA. The 41-year-old comes from a baseball family, and was acquired by Cashman at the trade deadline in 2009, playing a vital reserve role on the eventual champs. He spent 16 seasons in the majors.
Cashman must also replace VP of player development Gary Denbo, who departed to help Derek Jeter in Miami. There are four candidates for that spot, according to Jon Heyman of fanragsports.com, with one of them being Kevin Reese, who has served as the team's pro scouting director and is very highly thought of within the organization. He had a combined 13 MLB at-bats for the Bombers in 2005-06.
All of Girardi's coaches will see their contracts expire on Tuesday, including pitching coach Larry Rothschild, bench coach Rob Thomson, first-base coach Tony Pena, third-base coach Joe Espada, hitting coach Alan Cockrell, assistant hitting coach Marcus Thames and bullpen coach Mike Harkey.
The Yankees have already informed teams that they could reach out to all the coaches about other jobs, meaning the coaching staff could have a significantly altered look in 2018.
And, finally, the Bombers will find out this week whether Masahiro Tanaka decides to opt out of the final three years and $67 million remaining on his contract. Tanaka has until three days after the conclusion of the World Series — Game 6 is Tuesday, while Game 7 is scheduled for Wednesday, if necessary — to inform the team of his decision.
GOLDEN BOYS
It got lost in the Girardi news, but Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge were both nominated for Gold Glove awards. Gardner won in 2016. Judge was fifth among all right fielders in defensive runs saved (plus-9) during the regular season.
Yankees prospects Justus Sheffield and Thairo Estrada were named to the 2017 Fall Stars Game on Saturday.
Billy McKinney and Estevan Florial could also make it via fan vote.