Cashman: Girardi didn't communicate well with players

As the New York Yankees actively search for Joe Girardi's replacement, general manager Brian Cashman said the decision to let Girardi go ultimately came down to the former manager's inability to "engage, communicate, and connect with playing personnel," according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

"Obviously, you've seen a complete transition from where we were a year ago - which was a top-heavy, veteran-oriented clubhouse - to now a young, energetic group of talented personnel," Cashman told Hoch.

"Over time, I felt that we were still in the same situation as we were shortly there before, when we had the veterans. Once that cleared out, I felt we had new opportunities to re-engage and reconnect and have channels maybe open up a little bit easier."

Girardi was dismissed as manager following a postseason run that saw the Yankees advance to the ALCS before falling to the eventual World Series champion Houston Astros in seven games. It was then that Cashman informed owner Hal Steinbrenner he felt the team was in need of a "new and a fresh voice".

Related: Girardi opens up about Yankees dismissal: 'I thought I would be back'

As for the future manager of the Yankees, Cashman said he prefers to hire someone "who's willing to push back and have open discourse" with players, according to Hoch. Former Yankees utility player Jerry Hairston Jr. recently emerged as a reported candidate for the position.