For Girardi, Better Later Than Never?

The Baltimore Orioles failed at their first attempt to make Joe Girardi their new manager last week, but they may have another chance. If the Orioles still haven't decided on a manager by the end of the season, it's a possibility they could restart talks with Girardi then, a team source said yesterday.

Girardi, the team's clear top choice, turned down the Orioles on Thursday. He did so, he said, not because of the organization or contract problems, but timing. When asked if his decision on the Orioles was final, he said Thursday: "I'm not sure what the Orioles are going to do. I really don't know."

The source stressed that reopening the talks with Girardi is anything but a certainty. The largest obstacle would be the Orioles hiring another manager to replace interim skipper Dave Trembley before season's end. Also, Girardi could hold out for a more attractive managerial job that may come open, such as the New York Yankees' or his hometown Chicago White Sox', or decide to stay in broadcasting. "It depends on the timing," the source said.

One factor that may prompt the Orioles to hold out until the season ends is how comfortable new president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail is with Trembley, who managed in the minor leagues for the Chicago Cubs for several seasons while MacPhail ran the Cubs. And there may be little reason for a strong candidate to join the Orioles before seeing how MacPhail's role plays out or how the Orioles handle the trade deadline.

At the same time, MacPhail seemed resolved on working toward finding another replacement. "There's not just a sea of one," he said Thursday. "There are going to be a lot of guys who are out there now that are capable managers who have either managed before or have to get their first opportunity."

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