Yankees: Rumors swirl about both Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi

As the Yankees set to take on the Indians in Game 5 of the ALDS, the rumor mill has picked up steam on the futures of both Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi.

This year has certainly been one to remember for the New York Yankees.

Not only has general manager Brian Cashman’s 20-year reign culminated in one of the organization’s strongest farm systems of all time, leading to a number of late-season transactions that have bolstered the team’s chances of advancing to the ALCS, but had it not been for Joe Girardi’s ALDS Game 2 missteps, there’d be no doubt he too would be returning for his 11th season as team manager.

But things happen. Just look at the Red Sox, who after winning 93 games this season and a World Series title in 2013, fired manager John Farrell after another disappointing first-round playoff exit.

Should the Yanks fail to overcome the odds of rallying from two games down in a best of five series, Girardi too may head to the chopping block.

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After overachieving in a big way by leading his club to a 91-win season, Girardi could have sealed his fate by closing out the series in the Bronx on Monday night.

As we wait to see if CC Sabathia can once again rise to the occasion, squaring off against Corey Kluber for the second time this round, Girardi will be unable to rest on his laurels.

Sure Girardi may have managed the game of his life against the Twins to win the wild-card — maneuvering 26 bullpen outs after Luis Severino’s implosion. And yeah, he’s 3-0 in elimination games these playoffs.

But a loss tonight will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of many.

Even if the Yanks were to win it all this season, it’s entirely possible Girardi could still seek employment elsewhere. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, one such interested party would be the Mets.

"With Joe Girardi unsigned beyond this season, and questions looming about his future, the Yankee manager’s name has surfaced in recent discussions by Mets officials in their search for Terry Collins’ replacement, according to a person with direct knowledge of the conversations.The source added the Mets fully expect Girardi to remain with the Yankees, but have floated various “what if” scenarios. And indications are general manager Sandy Alderson would be open to the idea of Girardi.”"

While I’m not entirely sure that the Mets could afford Girardi or that he would actually head across town to undergo what looks to be an extensive rebuild, stranger things have happened.

Without any bias, Girardi has done a wonderful job of leading this team. Maybe he hasn’t always said the right thing — or relies way too much on his binder, but without a clear-cut favorite to succeed him, I’d be surprised if he wasn’t brought back to continue building upon the success of 2017.

As for Cashman, who has set the Yankees up for a long run of both on and off-field success, he is in fact rumored to begin discussions on a record-setting deal for a general manager. According to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe:

"Great time to grab one the of best GMs in baseball? Cashman’s contract is expiring. While we believe Randy Levine and Hal Steinbrenner will re-up Cashman and make him the highest-paid GM in the game (yes, even more than Epstein’s $10 million per year), there’s an opportunity for a team (hello, Marlins and Braves) to step in and create a little competition."

Next: Kahnle has made Betances expendable

Yes, $10 million is a lot of dough for a front office executive, but after losing VP of Player Development, Gary Denbo, to the Marlins earlier this week, and the uncertainty that remains with Girardi — the Steinbrenner boys will likely pony up whatever it takes to secure Cash’s familiar face and winning pedigree.