Attention turns to Girardi’s deal
HOUSTON — With the Yankees’ 2017 season crashing deep in the heart of Texas on Saturday night with a 4-0 loss to the Astros in Game 7 of the ALCS the focus turns to what happens with Joe Girardi.
It is believed that Hal Steinbrenner wants Girardi back, but after 10 years it could be Girardi’s call.
Early in the postseason Girardi said when it ended he would gather his family and ask his two daughters, son, and wife to vote if they wanted him to continue as the Yankees’ manager or step aside.
“I love what I do. I’ve always said, the first thing that I do is I always talk to my family first. They come first. Because I think when you have a job, I mean, your family has to buy in, too,’’ Girardi said. “It’s not just what you want out of life. It’s everyone buying in. So 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.’’
After not making the postseason in 2013 Girardi signed a four-year contract worth $16 million.
GM Brian Cashman, who is also without a contract for next season as are all of Girardi’s coaches, says that situation moves up the ladder with the Yankees’ not going to the World Series to play the Dodgers.
“All of that will come sooner than later. We were hoping to kick the can down the road but now, obviously, we’re like 28 other clubs,’’ Cashman said in the Yankees’ clubhouse. “We are in the pile of ‘what’s next?’”
As for Girardi, Cashman was impressed with the job he did.
“I think everyone did everything they possibly could to get to where we wanted to go, which was the last team standing,’’ Cash- man said. “We fell short. We had a great season. It’s been a wild and fun ride but tonight it hurts because the ride is over. My recommendation will be to talk to our owner and sit down and find out what is next.’’
When Cashman dealt Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman and Carlos Beltran at the 2016 trade deadline for high-end prospects, the word “rebuilding” was a popular way to describe the Yankees’ plan.
Yet, they made a late run at a postseason spot in 2016 and chased the Red Sox for the AL East title until the final weekend this season, leading to this magical run.