MLB: Cashman saysYankees want Girardi back

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New York • The Yankees want Joe Girardi to return as manager next season.

Girardi was hired after the 2007 season, and his contract expires at the end of October. Crippled by injuries, New York had its poorest record since 1992 and finished tied for third in the AL East at 85-77.

"He knows we'd like to have him stay and continue as manager of the New York Yankees as we move forward,' general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday,

Cashman said he thinks Girardi "likes it here," and the GM will meet Wednesday with the manager's agent. Cashman wouldn't say if he would give the Chicago Cubs permission to speak with Girardi about their managerial opening.

Heading into the offseason, the Yankees want to re-sign All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano, who can become a free agent after the World Series.

Cashman also said it's unclear whether the Yankees will be able to get under next year's $189 million luxury tax threshold, which includes about $177 million for player salaries.

"It's certainly a goal; it's not a mandate," he said. "There's a lot of benefits to staying under that, but it's not a mandate at the expense of a championship run."

He also plans to address the Yankees' lack of power this season.

"We got derailed this year by decision-making as well as injuries," Cashman said.