As soon as the Cubs fired manager Dale Sveum the speculation about Joe Girardi coming to Chicago started to intensify, but Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is not going to let him leave without a fight.

Cashman told Andy McCullough of the Newark Star Ledger that he met with Girardi on Monday and plans to meet with Girardi’s agent on Wednesday, adding that contract negotiations have begun.

Cashman declined to say whether the Cubs had requested permission to speak to Girardi, although considering his contract is up at some point very soon they won’t even need to do so. Cashman did say: “I think he likes it here. We’re going to give him reason to stay.”

In other words, expect an offer that would significantly top the three-year, $9 million contract Girardi just completed. Of course, the Cubs (or another team) would no doubt be offering a big contract too, so Girardi’s decision may hinge on which organization he thinks is in better shape for the next 3-5 years.

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