Hal offers Girardi praise, but no extension
TAMPA — Hal Steinbrenner is a fan of Joe Girardi’s for many reasons and professed his love Wednesday for the Yankees manager who enters a 10th season but without a contract beyond 2017.
However, Steinbrenner isn’t in a hurry to grant Girardi an extension.
Asked to describe what he looks for in a manager, the Yankees owner clicked off a list of qualities he likes about Girardi.
“I think [a manager] has to be good at working with young players and veterans which Joe is,’’ Steinbrenner said. “It’s certainly a cerebral guy, [and] Joe is a very smart guy. There are a lot of aspects, especially when you are doing it in New York City. You have to have tough skin, which he does, and he has done a good job. He has done a good job, but we have to see how this year goes.’’
Girardi is on the final leg of a four-year deal worth $16 million and said Tuesday he would like to continue the relationship, but didn’t see a need to get clarity from the organization.
Helping Steinbrenner make it easier to keep Girardi would be the Yankees participating in a postseason series for the first time since 2012.
“We love Joe. Look, Joe is one of many people in this organization without contracts [for next year],’’ Steinbrenner said. “I am sure we will talk near the end of the year.’’
Asked about Jacoby Ellsbury’s performance during the first three seasons of a seven-year deal worth $153 million — with $89.568 million remaining — Steinbrenner praised the center fielder’s character and accepted the less-than-stellar numbers.
“We will see. Look, Jacoby is a great player. He comes to play every day and he has been great with the young kids,’’ Steinbrenner said. “The stats are what the stats are, but I have enjoyed having him on the club.’’
In a perfect world, Girardi would like to have seen Dellin Betances working with the Yankees’ pitchers Wednesday during the first spring training workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
However, the three-time All Star reliever won’t report to camp until after Friday’s arbitration hearing in nearby St. Petersburg. The mandatory reporting date according to the collective bargaining agreement is next Wednesday, so Betances isn’t violating any rules.