The New York Yankees and manager Joe Girardi mutually agreed to part ways last week, creating the most desirable opening in the sport. Girardi had managed the Yankees since 2008, highlighted by a 2009 World Series title. He never finished below .500 with New York and just finished a four-year, $16 million deal. However, he was looking for a pay raise, which New York was not willing to give him.
New York has a promising young team with money to spend on free agents. The Yankees do have some promising in-house options, but we also know this franchise likes to make a splash with their hires and own the headlines. So, who could the Yankees target as Girardi's replacement? Here are five options:
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5) Jerry Hairston Jr.
A new name circulating around the MLB as a potential candidate to be the Yankees' new manager is Jerry Hairston Jr. Hairston is in serious consideration because the Yankees are looking for a younger, cheaper coach who will be able to connect with the young Yankees roster. Hairston played for the Yankees in 2009 when they won the World Series.
4) Joe Espada, Yankees third base coach
The 42-year-old Espada is among the most well-liked coaches by the players currently on the roster and has been with the organization for four years. All of that makes him a legitimate candidate, but considering his only managerial experience has come in Puerto Rican Winter League, he's not among the top three favorites.
3) Pete Mackanin, former Phillies manager
There has been some recent momentum for Mackanin created by those close to the organization. The 66-year-old was fired by the Phillies after the season and is moving to a front office role with the franchise, but his lack of success (227-291) has more to do with Philly's lack of talent than his managerial abilities. There is also a major link between him and the franchise. Mackanin was a former special assignment scout and would have replaced Girardi following the 2013 season if Girardi decided to take the Cubs job, which he almost did.
2) Rob Thomson, Yankees bench coach
Thomson, New York's bench coach, is the betting favorite to get promoted to manager and has been with the organization for 28 seasons, including 10 as a coach. However, he only has 75 games of managerial experience, leading the Oneonta Yankees to 34-41 record in the New York/Penn League in 1995. That lack of experience is why he doesn't take the top spot.
1) Al Pedrique, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders manager
Pedrique has worked his way up through the Yankees farm system over the last five years, spending one season managing Low-A Charleston, High-A Tampa, Double-A Trenton before just finishing his second year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The RailRiders have been extremely successful under him, going 177-107 while making the league finals both years - and winning the class title in 2016. His success in the minors makes him a serious candidate.
Pedrique has been a manager in the majors before, stepping in for the final 83 game for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004 after they fired Bob Brenly midseason. However, he only won 22 of those games.
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