New York Yankees Re-Sign Joe Girardi

Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Girardi will remain with the New York Yankees as the team’s manager after agreeing to a contract extension Wednesday. Girardi has spent the past six seasons at the helm of the Yankees, but there’s been a great deal of speculation over the past week regarding his future with the club. With his contract set to expire at month’s end, the Chicago Cubs were believed to be seriously interested in discussing a deal with the former catcher but were never given the opportunity by the Yankees to discuss things formally with Girardi.

Girardi was a natural choice for the Cubs, given the fact that he’s from Peoria, Illinois and went to school at Northwestern. He spent seven seasons as a player with the club, from 1989 to 1992 and then again from 2000 to 2002. Collectively he’d bat .259/.310/.332 in 1,880 PA with the team. He was believed to be the favorite for the Cubs opening, but his quick signing in New York actually helps the Cubs in their search as they are now free to move on to their other options.

The extension is believed to be for four years and $16 Million, according to multiple sources. This makes Girardi the second highest paid manager in baseball behind only Mike Scioscia of the Los Angeles Angels.

Girardi has led the Yankees to a 564-408 record over the past six seasons, leading the team to the World Series in 2009. They’ve reached the playoffs in four of his six seasons in the dugout.