New York Yankees has new manager

The New York Yankees want to employ Joe Girardi as manager and are negotiating a contract with his agent.

Photo: New York Yankees has new manager

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because a deal hasn't been formalized, said general manager Brian Cashman made the recommendation for a successor to Joe Torre and it was accepted by the Yankees.

Girardi beat out former Yankees star and bench coach Don Mattingly, the early favorite, and first-base coach Tony Pena, who had the most managerial experience of the candidates. Girardi spent this season as a Yankees TV analyst after he was fired by the Florida Marlins last year.

"Don was extremely disappointed to learn today that he wasn't the organization's choice to fill the managerial vacancy," Mattingly's agent, Ray Schulte, said in an e-mail. "Instead, he was informed the organization offered the position to Joe Girardi."

Schulte said Mattingly told the Yankees he isn't interested in a coaching position next year, and he also extended Girardi his congratulations and best wishes.

Radio station 1050 ESPN New York first reported the development and said Girardi is expected to take the job.

Hank Steinbrenner, one of owner George Steinbrenner's sons, said he wasn't sure when an announcement would be made.

The 43-year-old Girardi caught for the Yankees from 1996-99, served as a bench coach in 2005, then managed the Marlins the following year and was NL Manager of the Year. He kept a young team in contention until September and then was fired, apparently for clashing with owner Jeffrey Loria and others above him.

Girardi was a catcher for the Yankees from 1996-99, served as a bench coach in 2005, then managed the Marlins the following year and was NL Manager of the Year. He kept a young team in contention until September, then was fired, apparently for clashing with owner Jeffrey Loria and others above him.

Girardi was the first person to interview to replace Torre, who managed the Yankees to the playoffs in each of his 12 seasons with the team.

After leading the Yankees to four World Series titles in his first five years - but none since, the Yankees offered Torre a one-year contract featuring a substantial paycut and performance-based bonuses. He turned it down Oct. 18.