The ripple effects for Dave Martinez as Cubs shake up staff and Nationals can now pursue Joe Girardi

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Joe Girardi isn’t going there for a crewcut – to borrow a John Lackey phrase – and that might help Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez get the manager’s job with the Washington Nationals.

The New York Yankees shook up the industry on Thursday by announcing that they would not be offering a new contract to Girardi, the ex-Cub who grew up in Peoria and graduated from Northwestern University.

Girardi did not experience a losing season during his 10 years in The Bronx, winning the 2009 World Series and helping the Yankees through a youth movement that just got them to an American League Championship Series Game 7.

That would make Girardi a dream candidate for the 2018 Nationals and Bryce Harper’s final season before becoming a free agent. Except Washington has a perception problem after using three different managers to win four National League East championships since 2012.

Dusty Baker guided the Nationals to back-to-back division titles – and has a Hall of Fame-caliber resume – and still got fired in the middle of October after the Cubs beat them in a one-run elimination game.

Girardi just completed a four-year, $16 million contract with the Yankees – or about double the length and four times the financial commitment the Nationals reportedly gave Baker.

Is Washington ownership willing to pay a manager Joe Maddon money?

And would Martinez – Maddon’s longtime bench coach with the Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays – get his old job back if the Nationals don’t hire him?

“I would think so,” Maddon said Thursday on a conference call announcing big changes to his coaching staff. “We haven’t concluded anything. And I’m really hoping Davey gets this job. It’s about time he’s being considered so strongly. He’s ready to do this.

“It’s time for him to hold his own baby and go out there and have his voice be heard. Obviously, we’re all pulling for Davey. It’s the right time for him.”

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