Skip to content

4 potential moves for Girardi after Yankees departure

Shanna Lockwood / USA TODAY Sports

Joe Girardi may have just become the hottest free agent this upcoming winter.

The New York Yankees elected not to bring back the 53-year-old as their manager for 2018 despite Girardi's combined 910-710 record over 10 seasons in New York and a World Series ring in 2009.

With a couple of managerial openings around Major League Baseball, Girardi likely won't be short of potential eager employers if he chooses to manage elsewhere next season.

Here are four potential options for Girardi as he rebounds from his Yankees departure:

Take over the Nationals

The manager-less Washington Nationals aren't short of ingredients for a World Series recipe.

Their offense, loaded with perennial MVP candidate Bryce Harper, a 6.9 WAR Anthony Rendon, and promising shortstop Trea Turner, should be the ideal complement to a rotation spearheaded by Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. Though they've yet to make the Fall Classic in their existence, Girardi - who has had plenty of experience going deep into the postseason - could be just what they need to finally get there. That doesn't mean it's a perfect fit, however.

The Nationals have become notorious for ditching their managers on a whim. They've already been through seven different skippers since moving from Montreal prior to the 2005 season, including Dusty Baker, who led them to back-to-back seasons of at least 95 wins but was still dismissed earlier this month. History dictates that if Girardi can't immediately take them into the National League Championship Series, he may not last long on the job, either.

Transform the Phillies

Unlike the Nationals, the rebuilding Philadelphia Phillies may not be good for years, but Girardi's work with the Baby Bombers has shown he's qualified to quickly develop young rosters into overnight contenders.

Like the Yankees, both clubs will have a ton of money to spend, and rookie Rhys Hoskins' sudden offensive emergence was reminiscent of Gary Sanchez's in 2016. Adding Girardi could help further Hoskins' development and help the slugger avoid becoming just another flash in the pan.

Taking over the Phillies does have obvious drawbacks, though. They're bad, and there's no getting around that quickly. Ultimately, Girardi will have some say but he won't be the one who actually builds the club and acquires pieces. He would need to agree to Philadelphia as a long-term project, but with his family a key influence in his career decisions, it could be difficult for them to greenlight another lengthy venture.

Take a year off

Maybe it's time for a break.

Managing 10 long seasons in a colossal market like New York can take a toll on anyone, and Girardi's no exception. He has mentioned he wants to spend more time with his family, and if he develops another itch for the game, Girardi could explore another stint in the broadcast booth, just as he did for YES Network after being fired by former Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria in 2006.

Going on hiatus has also worked out for other notable names in recent history. After being let go by the Boston Red Sox in 2011, Terry Francona took a year off before leading the Cleveland Indians to their first 92-win season in four years. Jim Leyland took six seasons off after a 72-90 campaign with the Colorado Rockies in 1999: He came back in 2006 to take the Detroit Tigers to the World Series.

Join Jeter in Miami

Any name to leave the Yankees organization will immediately be linked to the Marlins thanks to the Derek Jeter effect, and the link between Girardi and Jeter is as strong as they come. Girardi managed Jeter on the Yankees for seven long seasons, including Jeter's grand finale in 2014, and the retired shortstop knows exactly the kind of personality he would be bringing aboard if he reached out to his former skipper.

The move also has potential personal benefits for Girardi, who wouldn't even have to assume a manager's role with Don Mattingly in place for now. Girardi and his family recently relocated to Florida, according to FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman, and assuming a more tranquil front-office role close to home may be just what Girardi needs next season.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox