REPORT: Girardi seeks permission to speak with Cubs

Oct 25, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts (center) watches new president of baseball operations Theo Epstein speak during a press conference at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Giglio-USA TODAY Sports

Last night during the American League Wild Card game, a report surfaced that indicated the New York Yankees came forth with a contract offer for manager Joe Girardi – long before his contract expires at the end of the month. However, the 48-year old countered with a series of parameters – and one report suggests that amongst those parameters is the opportunity to speak with the Chicago Cubs.

According to Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, multiple sources report that the offer the Cubs ownership has in mind would make Girardi one of the two-highest paid managers in baseball today.

Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts has been desperately seeking an opportunity to speak with Girardi about the team’s managerial vacancy, and several officials within the organization believe he is the man for the job.

While it remains unclear whether Girardi will ever get permission to speak with the Cubs from Yanks GM Brian Cashman, one thing is abundantly clear. Whichever team he does sign with will be doling out a significant chunk of change – all reports indicate he’ll make a run at becoming the highest-paid manager in the game, a spot currently held by long-tenured Angels’ skipper Mike Scioscia – who makes roughly $5 million annually.

Wittenmeyer also delved into the potential backup plans for the Cubs front office, should Girardi elect to stay in New York and sign a new contract with the Yankees. That list, which had previously included A.J. Hinch and Brad Ausmus – both of whom serve roles with the San Diego Padres organization – has seemingly been expanded, now including former Cleveland Indians and Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta and Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. Alomar Jr. interviewed for the Cubs position two years ago, but was eventually beat out by Dale Sveum.

Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Dave Martinez is also rumored to be on the list of managerial options for Chicago, according to Wittenmeyer.