Yankees Rumors: Brad Ausmus latest name topping manager search

Could another former catcher follow in Joe Girardi’s footsteps as manager of the Yankees? According to an unnamed scout, Brad Ausmus could very well be up next.

Look, until the Yankees finally settle on a manager, we’re simply going to have to live with the rumor of the day when it comes to the next manager of the club.

Friday’s bit of information comes by way of NJ.com, who was told by a long-time scout that former Tigers skipper, Brad Ausmus, is the best fit in the Bronx and fully expects him to be hired as team manager.

The scout, who wished to stay anonymous, says the Yanks like Ausmus because of the level of managing experience he brings from outside the organization — and at 48, would still be able to relate to players in their mid to late-20s.

“He could be a real good one for them,” the scout said. “He’s a smart guy plus he’s a no-nonsense guy. He’ll rip you when you need to be ripped, but he’ll also pat you on the butt when you’re doing good. He’s got his players’ backs.”

As manager of the Tigers for four years, the former 18-year pro and three-time Gold Glove winner was always known as a player’s best friend.

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Not to say he was a push-over — on the contrary, Ausmus’ tough as nail demeanor and overall baseball intellect made him a stoic field general.

Guiding a Yankees team that fully expects a return trip to the ALCS in 2018, if not a World Series victory, will be the test of a lifetime.

After two winning seasons and one playoff berth, which included an AL Central title in 2014, the Tigers were disastrous in 2017, finishing with an MLB-worst, 64-98 record.

Though it’s easy to point blame at the manager for a team’s struggles, the Tigers’ roster was a mishmash of rapidly aging stars (Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez), disappointing veterans (Anibal Sanchez, Jordan Zimmerman) and inconsistent youth (Michael Fulmer, Jose Iglesias).

If anything, I’m not sure how general manager Al Avila still has a job and Ausmus doesn’t.

While some Yankees’ fans may question why a club on the precipice of greatness, would bring in a manager with only one first-place finish under his belt, take a look at some of the other names being linked to the job.

Next: Jacoby Ellsbury to the Mariners?

According to the Bovada’s list of the 21 most likely candidates to manage the Yanks, only eight have big league managing experience.