MLB rumors: Why Cardinals could regret passing on ex-Yankees manager Joe Girardi

The Yankees parted ways with manager Joe Girardi following the 2017 season, which ended with a Game 7 loss in the American League Championship Series to the Houston Astros. Girardi now works as an analyst for MLB Network, but has been linked to managerial openings this year with the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals.

When the Cardinals fired manager Mike Matheny last month, former Yankees skipper Joe  Girardi was rumored to be the front-runner in St. Louis. 

However Fancred’s Jon Heyman says interim manager Mike Shildt might be the right man for the job on a full-time basis.

Girardi in many ways is the most attractive managerial candidate out there, and with his well-known connections to (Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John) Mozeliak and the Cardinals, there was plenty of early speculation about his chances. There was also some speculation about home run champ Mark McGwire and a few others. But all indications are that Shildt, a long-time minor-league manager with the Cardinals, has the first chance, and it shouldn’t be dismissed as a formality.

But Girardi, who led the Yankees to the 2009 World Series title, still could land at some point in the National League Central, per Heyman:

Despite the early speculation, Girardi may ultimately have a better chance with the Cardinals’ main rival – though anything with the Cubs may take years, as they have the legendary Joe Maddon as their manager, and he continues to do an excellent job. Girardi doesn’t discuss specific jobs, but it is believed that’d be OK with Girardi, who can afford to wait and is believed to enjoy his high-profile analyst’s job with MLB Network.

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The Yankees parted ways with Girardi after the 2017 season, which ended with a Game 7 loss to the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series.

In February, Girardi joined MLB Network as an analyst.

“I’m really excited to join MLB Network and to have a chance to talk about the game that I love so much,” Girardi said in a statement the network released.

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