Updated at 10:47 a.m., Monday, October 29, 2007
Mattingly says Girardi offered Yankees manager job
By Larry DiTore
Bloomberg News Service
Girardi beat out bench coach Don Mattingly and first-base coach Tony Pena to replace longtime manager Joe Torre, according to a statement from Mattingly spokesman Ray Schulte.
A former catcher and coach for the Yankees and the National League Manager of the Year with Florida in 2006, Girardi likely will be offered a three-year, $6 million deal to take over the highest-paid team in baseball and replace one of the most successful managers in the sport's history, ESPN said.
"Don extends congratulations to Joe and wishes him and the organization good luck next year," Schulte said in the statement.
Girardi's agent, Steve Mandell, didn't immediately return telephone messages seeking comment. Yankees spokesman Howard J. Rubenstein said the team had nothing to announce.
The selection of Girardi came a day after third baseman Alex Rodriguez said he was opting out of the last three years of his contract, probably ending his time with the Yankees.
It also followed by 11 days the decision by Torre to turn down a one-year contract with a $5 million base salary and bonuses of $3 million for postseason success, ending 12 years in which he led the Yankees to the playoffs each season and won four World Series titles and six American League pennants.
