Yankees could choose new manager today By PETER ABRAHAM THE JOURNAL NEWS (Original publication: October 25, 2007) The Yankees presented Joe Torre with their take-it-or-leave-it contract offer one week ago. He left it, and the team has been without a manager since. That could change today. General manager Brian Cashman will meet with owner George Steinbrenner and his sons at Legends Field this afternoon with the hope of selecting Torre's replacement. The final candidate was interviewed yesterday, that being first-base coach Tony Pena. Major League Baseball officials said it was likely commissioner Bud Selig would grant permission for the Yankees to announce their choice tomorrow if they were ready. That is the first day off in the World Series. It is expected that either bench coach Don Mattingly or former Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi will get the job. "We're very impressed with all three candidates," Hank Steinbrenner said as he left Legends Field in Tampa, Fla. "I told you it would be a tough decision." Hank Steinbrenner claimed his family would likely go with the recommendation of Cashman and his staff. But both Cashman and team president Randy Levine have said the final decision would rest with George Steinbrenner. "It has been an in-depth process," Hank Steinbrenner said. Steinbrenner also called for patience, saying that the next manager would need time. "I think the most important thing is, whoever we hire, give him a chance," he said. "Because he's not getting the '96 Yankees. He's getting an even younger team or for the most part a team in transition. Give him a little while. "We want to win the World Series every year. We're not stupid enough to think we can do it. Of course, we'd love to win the World Series next year." The 50-year-old Pena said he would be open to staying with the team as a coach next season. But he impressed the Yankees yesterday with his energy. Pena was 198-285 as manager of the low-budget Kansas City Royals from 2002-05. The AL Manager of the Year in 2003, he joined the Yankees as a coach in 2006. "Any time you talk about baseball, it's a great day," Pena said during a conference call with reporters. "I feel very comfortable. I am capable to manage this ballclub and to take this ballclub to the final line, which is to win the World Series." Pena resigned as manager of the Royals 33 games into the 2005 season. He said he learned a lot from Torre the last two seasons and was eager to have his own team again. "With the talent that we have, I think we can do it with this team next year," he said. "There's no question in my mind that we have the capability and we have the talent to go and do the job." As Pena completed his interview in Tampa, Girardi was in Manhattan to receive the Lou Gehrig Sports Award award from the ALS Association of New York. He refused comment on his chances. "The only thing I'm going to comment on about the Yankees situation is what I said two days ago. I had a great interview, and it's an honor for whoever gets that job," he said. "Managing in the big leagues is an honor as well as a privilege." Former Yankee David Cone said the decision would be difficult. "I think whoever the new manager is going to be is going to be pretty lucky. The Yankees are a great team, a great organization and have tremendous resources," he said. "I don't think you can lose with whoever you choose. Don Mattingly would be a great choice; Joe Girardi would be a great choice (and) Tony Pena as well. I'm glad I don't have to make that choice." Cashman and the Steinbrenners do, and it should come today. Note: The Yankees signed two players from the Israel Baseball League, outfielder Jason Rees and catcher Eladio Rodriguez. Rees, 23, is an Australian who hit .362 with 17 homers and 50 RBI in 42 games. He played for Fort Hays State in Kansas in 2006. Rodriguez, 28, hit .461. A native of the Dominican Republic, he was in the Red Sox organization from 1998-2004. Staff writer Brian Heyman contributed to this report. Reach Peter Abraham at [email protected] and read his Yankees blog at yankees.lohudblogs.com --

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