Girardi To Talk About Cubs Job Tomorrow

From Mark Feinsand:

Friday, Girardi will visit with the Chicago media, discussing the vacant Cubs managerial job for the final time until the season is over.

"I don't know what they're going to ask, but I'm going to do it on Friday and that will be it," Girardi said. "It's just another thing you have to deal with. I understand people want to know what you're thinking, but my responsibility is here."

Girardi's name has been linked to the Cubs job ever since Lou Piniella announced last month that he planned to retire. Piniella stepped down earlier this week to spend time with his ailing mother, prompting another round of questions for Girardi regarding his interest in returning to the organization with which he began his career.

Girardi is taking a page from Derek Jeter's playbook - the shortstop addressed his contract situation once in spring training and has stuck to his promise not to discuss it again until the end of the season. Jeter, Girardi and Mariano Rivera are each in the final year of their respective deals, but the Yankees have held firm to their recent policy not to negotiate new deals until the current contracts expire.

Here's what Jon Heyman said about Girardi and the Cubs:

Some say that Joe Girardi, the ex-Cub, Northwestern grad and Peoria, Ill., product, wouldn't mind going to manage the Cubs, and this would certainly be his best time to leverage things. But most would still be shocked to see him leave the winningest organization in baseball history. He also has an excellent relationship with Yankees boss Hal Steinbrenner. The Yankees will make a solid offer (perhaps in the $4-to-5 million per year range) but will not repeat the $6-to-7 million salary once bestowed on Torre.

I would also be very surprised if he left the Yanks for Chicago, but stranger things have happened.

Another person rumored to be a front-runner for the Cubs job, and a person who I think will end up with the job, is Ryan Sanberg.

So, who do you think is more likely to be the Cubs next manager, Girardi or Sandberg?