Whenever Yankees manager Joe Torre's job is on the line, Lou Piniella's name invariably pops up in idle conversation as a possible replacement.
Piniella has long been known as a George Steinbrenner favorite, and the two remain good friends. Piniella has a strong managerial track record and a Yankee pedigree dating back to the 1970s.
And there's no doubt Piniella has the personality and know-how to succeed again in New York, which can chew up and spit out players, managers and head coaches who don't provide their owners with instant gratification.
But as the Yankees' hierarchy meets Tuesday in Tampa to address Torre's fate after another first-round playoff exit, Piniella will be minding his own business at his nearby home, secure in the knowledge he'll be back in the Cubs' dugout for the next two seasons.
'He's extraordinarily happy managing the Cubs,' said Alan Nero, Piniella's agent. 'I can't see any circumstance in which Lou is not in a Cubs uniform next yea! r.'
Rumors that Piniella craved the Yankees job began last October when New York was ousted by Detroit in the division series and Piniella was still working as an analyst for Fox.Last February in Mesa, Ariz., after having become the Cubs' manager, Piniella admitted he didn't want to see Steinbrenner at the time, fearing a meeting would feed the rumor mill.
Now talk of Torre's job security has surfaced again, and Piniella's name popped up last week.
'Last year it was the same controversy,' Nero said. 'Lou is not interested in upsetting Joe. He took the Cubs job in good faith, and he's not at all unhappy. There's nothing to it.'
Even if New York was interested in Piniella, and he was interested in replacing Torre, Piniella's contract would bar him from talking to the Yankees without the Cubs' permission.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman would have to get the Cubs to release Piniella from his contractual obligations, an unlikely ! scenario considering how much Cubs President John McDonough an! d genera l manager Jim Hendry credit Piniella for their turnaround from a 96-loss season in 2006.
'I'd be involved in that ,' Nero said, adding that he had not been approached by the Yankees or Cubs.
Nero also suggested the Yankees would 'have to make the Cubs an offer they couldn't refuse' to compensate them for the loss of their manager.
If the Cubs decided to let Piniella leave, they'd likely ask for a top pitching prospect like Philip Hughes or Joba Chamberlain in return, just as Seattle asked for, and received, outfielder Randy Winn when Piniella was allowed to get out of his contract with the Mariners and sign with Tampa Bay after the 2002 season.
Copyright © 2007 ChicagoSports.com, All Rights Reserved.
Article Directory: ht! tp://www.articledashboard.com
Terry Johnston is a CFP (Certified Financial Planner with over 15 years experience in help people reach their financial goals. He believes anyone earning a salary or wages should consider a home based network marketing business, because the Tax advantages are huge.visit my website theshynetworkmarketer.homestead.com
Source: http://www.topix.net/content/trb/2007/10/no-yankee-pinstripes-in-piniellas-future
Free Business Articles Blog
1 comment:
Randy Winn is an amazing player. He adds so much to the Giants roster these days. As for Lou, I think he'll be a Cub for a while! The Yankees manager situation will be an interesting off season subject for sure!
Post a Comment