Miguel

Cairo

It looks like the Nationals will go outside of the organization for their next manager, which seems like a good thing. Cairo still might have a future in a managerial role, but he seemed to be very much carrying on good friend Dave Martinez’s traditions after stepping in this summer.

Cairo had spent the last year and a half as Nationals bench coach and Dave Martinez’s right-hand man, which apparently gave him some pause about replacing Martinez now. A 17-year major leaguer, Cairo has also worked as a special assistant in the Reds front office, as a minor league infield coordinator for the Yankees and as a bench coach (and, eventually, interim manager) with the White Sox since retiring in 2012.

Cairo was hired before the 2024 season as Dave Martinez’s bench coach, so he has allegedly told the Nationals that he needs time to consider the offer after Martinez was fired yesterday. Cairo was 18-16 as an interim manager for the Chicago White Sox back in 2022 after Tony La Russa was fired. Perhaps that’s not a situation he wants to enter again. If Cairo does turn down the offer, Ghiroli reports that Nationals Triple-A manager Matt LeCroy “would appear to be the guy.”

Cairo has spent the last decade in a front office and coaching role between the Reds, White Sox and Mets, following a 17-year career in the majors. He spent last season as a minor league coordination for New York. He most notably served as the White Sox’ interim manager during the 2022 campaign. He joins Nationals manager Dave Martinez’s staff for the 2024 season.

Cairo wouldn’t necessarily be guaranteed a starting job if he re-signs, but second base could then become a low priority for the Yankees. Flaherty would remain Jorge Posada’s backup.

Iguchi has supposedly told friends the Yankees are the MLB team he’d most like to play for.

A physical will finalize the deal. $900,000 is little enough money to make it an okay signing. We don’t see Cairo of being much use as a reserve, but signing him isn’t going to stop the Mets from doing anything else.

Cairo has been out since Saturday with a right hamstring injury.

The deal may not be announced until May or June, but it appears to be done. Cairo should be the team’s top utility infielder.

It looks like the Yankees have decided to attempt to upgrade over Enrique Wilson, who was given a non-guaranteed contract last month. It’s unlikely that the Yankees would keep both players, and Cairo is the more useful of the two.