TAMPA – Hank Steinbrenner refused to talk about where the Yankees are in regards to making offers to Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada and what the club’s timetable for a face-to-face meeting with Alex Rodriguez.
“I don’t want to comment on any of that now,” Steinbrenner said outside Legends Field yesterday after Joe Girardi interviewed for the manager’s job. “If I tell you something you can bank on it, I am not going to lie to you but if I can’t comment on something I am not going to comment. That doesn’t mean yes or no.”
Ownership has authorized GM Brian Cashman to make offers to the three players but it’s not known if all have received an official offer. Scott Boras, Rodriguez’s agent, says his camp isn’t ready to talk finances until a meeting with the Yankee brass is held. That meeting date hasn’t been finalized.
During a radio interview on “Steiner Sports on Sirius,” Rivera said that he was sad to see Joe Torre go, but Torre’s departure wouldn’t force him out of The Bronx.
“Not really, I think they are going to do what is best for the team. I always respect them for that,” said Rivera, who wants to pitch at least through the 2009 season and open the new Yankee Stadium. “I don’t think it has anything to do with me in terms of signing with the Yankees. The ball is in their court. I am just being patient.”
Asked who will make the call on Torre’s replacement, Hank Steinbrenner said he didn’t want to answer the question and didn’t say if there are more candidates than Don Mattingly, Tony Pena and Girardi.
“We don’t know that for sure,” Steinbrenner said.
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Cashman isn’t commenting on the managerial interviews until they are complete. Cashman chaired two sessions with Girardi yesterday at the minor-league complex and was on hand when Girardi met with George, Hank and Hal Steinbrenner.