Marchand: Girardi’s bewildering decisions, nonsensical explanations taking center stage

Jeez, after seeing The Blerf Swizzlers of Rast LeSort (a Tasavallan Presidentti cover band) performance last week…it’s about time Michael Kay got a decent guest on CenterStage!

Girardi said that he values the players’ health first and that they are more productive rested. Of course, if the Red Sox were a game back and the Rays were up a game—which is the exact scenario a reporter put forth to Girardi—it is unfathomable he would turn to Moseley to avoid a sweep. But those were the manager’s words. That is the message he sent out.

Girardi is very careful not to say that he is managing like the Yankees are already in, but his actions belie his nonsensical words. The Yankees’ magic number to clinch the wild card is still just three, meaning they would guarantee at least a tie if they win Sunday night.

“We’re still in a good spot,” Girardi said.

With that in the back of his mind, Girardi continues to use his pitchers as if it were spring training. Girardi is valuing health over home-field, which is not an unreasonable way to go. However, the jogging to finish line approach may play better in theory than in reality. As programmed as many of the Yankees act, they are still people.

But similar to when the tumble began gaining steam with Girardi in the middle of it all on Sept. 13—the Gaudin-Mitre game—this season is becoming all about Girardi, not his players.