Finally, some hot stove action in Major League Baseball: Ex-New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi is joining MLB Network as studio analyst, sources tell Sporting News.
MLB Network is expected to announce the hiring of the 53-year-old Girardi as early as Wednesday, said sources with knowledge of the deal. He's expected to make his debut on “MLB Tonight” Wednesday night (6 p.m. ET), alongside Mike Lowell, Bill Ripken and Greg Amsinger.
MLB Network declined to comment.
As Yankees skipper, he led the Bronx Bombers to the 2009 World Series championship over the Phillies. After Girardi failed to get the team to the 2017 World Series, the Yankees chose not to bring him back for the 2018 season.
It's a smart move by both parties. MLB gets a battle-tested personality who's dealt with the toughest baseball media in the country in New York City. Girardi has plenty of TV experience, working broadcast gigs for YES Network and Fox Sports and managing stints with the Yankees and Marlins.
Girardi doesn't have to uproot his wife and children. MLB Network's studios in Secaucus, N.J., are close to their home in the New York area. After recharging his batteries in the TV studio, Girardi could always return to managing at some point.
He will be the latest big-name hire by MLB Network, which also brought on Jim Thome and Pedro Martinez in recent years. The Yankees, meanwhile, hired Aaron Boone out of ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" booth to replace Girardi during the offseason.
