MLB rumors: Ex-Yankees manager Joe Girardi is holding out for his dream job

Former New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi wants to return to the dugout. He’s watched the Cincinnati Reds hire David Bell, the Los Angeles Angels hire Brad Ausmus, the Toronto Blue Jays hire Charlie Montoyo and the Minnesota Twins hire Rocco Baldelli. The Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers are still looking for new managers.

At one point this fall, six MLB clubs were looking new managers for 2019 and beyond.

Four of those jobs have been filled.

The Reds hired David Bell.

The Angels hired Brad Ausmus

The Blue Jays hired Charlie Montoyo.

The Twins hired Rocco Baldelli.

That leaves the Orioles and Rangers looking for new skippers.

Projecting Yanks’ 2019 lineup, rotation

Don’t expect former Yankees manager Joe Girardi to land either gig.

It’s not because Girardi doesn’t want to manage again. He does. But Girardi is holding out for his ideal job, per Fancred’s Jon Heyman:

Teams looking for managers, too, are hearing nos from some candidates, and the speculation is starting that some of the candidates could be waiting for a plum job that may open later. Joe Girardi surprised the Reds by pulling out of that derby last Friday shortly after hearing from the Rangers that they were going in another direction, as was reported here, and there is industry speculation that Girardi, Peoria, Ill. native, Northwestern alum and former Cubs catcher, may well be waiting for a job in Chicago, most likely the Cubs job should it become in available in a year (link).

…

(Mark) DeRosa, like Girardi, also may have particular interest in the Cubs job should it open up. Though neither he nor Girardi has spoken of that job or any other that is currently filled, that is considered one of the most prestigious jobs going, not to mention the obvious advantages of an excellent nucleus, high payroll, extraordinary revenues and revered front office and positive, (mostly) hands-off ownership situation.

…

Again, while Girardi and DeRosa haven’t said a word about the Cubs job currently filled by Joe Maddon, everyone at this point understands that Maddon will head into the 2019 as a lame duck. While Cubs baseball president Theo Epstein has only spoken glowingly of Maddon, there have been whispers for about a year that there’s some tension in the hierarchy, beyond the fact that the era of the $6-million-a-year manager is about to end, meaning there’s no guarantee the Maddon era lasts beyond 2019.

Girardi, DeRosa, David Ross and current Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde – who is a candidate for the Rangers and Blue Jays jobs, would seem like potential candidates should the Cubs’ job open up.  They are certainly four of the hotter names in the game, so a strategy to wait makes some sense, especially for accomplished men who already have great jobs. DeRosa, in particular, is a very hot name in the game right now, thanks to his unbridled enthusiasm and energy, nice playing career, obvious smarts and the bonus of Ivy League pedigree (he’s a University of Pennsylvania alum). Girardi doesn’t perfectly fit the current managerial prototype but he has a superb resume and Northwestern degree; beyond the 10 mostly successful years as Yankees manager he was Manager of the Year his one year with the Marlins before being let go.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.