The Joe Girardi era in New York is over.
A 10-year ride that included a World Series title in 2009 and a return to prominence in 2017 ends with Girardi simply saying the Yankees didn't want him back.
Those Yankee fans who clamored for Girardi to be let go after Game 2 of the ALDS against the Indians got their wish.
"With a heavy heart I come to you because the Yankees decided not to bring me back," Girardi said in a statement.
The decision by the Yankees is surprising considering the Yankees overachieved in 2017. With so many young players, the team wasn't expected to be competitive this season, but Girardi got the most out of the budding talent as the Bombers won 91 games and advanced all the way to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.
Under his guidance, Aaron Judge became a superstar, belting 59 home runs, breaking a Major League rookie record. Luis Severino became the ace of the pitching staff, and the Yankees found budding young stars in guys like Clint Fraizer and Gary Sanchez. In all, Girardi set the Yankees up nicely for years to come. Whomever takes the job will have a plethora of talent to work with.
The Yankee job instantly becomes both the games most coveted job, and worst job. Why? With so much good talent on this team, it would take monumental incompetence to fail. There are no excuses for whomever takes over -- the Yankees are expected to win right away.
With both Girardi and Brian Cashman as free agents, the thought was that both would be back. It appears that only Cashman will return to his role as General Manager.
Whether Girardi ends up with the Washington Nationals, who still have an opening, or elsewhere, or just retires is anyone's guess. If he does plan to manage again, he's going to command a high price and will want to run a team that can win right away. he
As for the Yankees, the battle to find his replacement begins...
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