Here Come the Candidates


Brian Cashman has moved into the interview phase of selecting the next Yankee manager. While the papers and sports talk radio are jumping on names such as Raul Ibanez, David Cone and Jerry Hairston Junior, the first two to actually meet with the GM were the lower-profile Rob Thomson (seen here) and Eric Wedge.

A 28 year member of the Yankee organization, Thomson coached under Joe Girardi the last 10 years, with two stints as the bench coach, and 2009 - '14 at 3rd base. A solid baseball man -- not the kind of name meant to "grab the back pages" of the New York tabloids.

Next to visit was the former Mariners and Indians skipper Eric Wedge. A good but not spectacular resume -- although his 2007 Indians beat Joe Torre's Yankees in the playoff series best remembered for the attack of the midges (insects) in Cleveland.

This could be an extended process as there are plenty of candidates available. Aaron Boone's name has been floated, so has Al Pedrique who managed most of the Young Yankees at Triple-A Scranton. While you could expect a decision by time of Winter Meetings in December, Brian Cashman is clearly under no deadline. Would you be surprised if none of the names in this column wind up being the one chosen?


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