Since Joe Torre is without a contract and unlikely to return, it is time to profile some of the men whom the Yankees will look at, whom they could look at, whom they should look at, and whom they should not look at. Now we will look at Lou Piniella.
The resume: Played with the Yankees from 1974 to 1984. Managed the Yankees from 1986 to 1988, the Reds from 1990 to 1992, the Mariners from 1993 to 2002, the Devil Rays from 2003 to 2005, and the Cubs from 2007 to the present. Won the American League Manager of the Year Award in 1995 and 2001 and the World Series in 1977 and 1978 as a player and in 1990 as a manager. His relationship with Alex Rodriguez might make it more likely for A-Rod to stay if Piniella got the job.
Strengths: Piniella has a long and distinguished track record as a manager. He would come in and demand immediate respect. He is yet another candidate with a Yankees pedigree who understands the unique culture surrounding the team. Since he has already managed the Yankees, he has a good idea of what would be in store.
Weaknesses: Piniella has a very volatile personality. When his team loses, he explodes, giving his players more pressure. In bad times, the instability of the organization and the scrutiny of the New York media would break him. The Yankees already have more than enough to deal with from the media and the fans. Additional tension coming from the manager would cause the team to press in bleak times. He shows great impatience with his players and has ripped into them mercilessly. He also has been known to openly speak to the press in criticism of his players. He is a miserable handler of a pitching staff. His bully tactics can undermine the confidence of young pitchers, which would not be a good attribute, given the potential makeup of the roster in the near future.
Outlook: George Steinbrenner wanted to hire Lou before Chicago hired him last offseason. The Yankees are likely to call the Cubs to ask for permission to speak with him. There is little chance that the Cubs will let a manager who took them to the postseason in his only year with the club depart. If they do, Piniella would love to come to the Yankees, but that scenario is not very likely.
My take: Piniella is not what this team needs. Veterans do not like getting belittled in the manner which Piniella operates. There is enough pressure in being a Yankee these days without the manager flipping out and adding more. The Yankees have pitching jewels within the farm system that Piniella should get nowhere near. Sweet Lou is a terrific manager, but this would be a bad fit.
