Joe Girardi out as New York Yankees manager

The New York Yankees and manager Joe Girardi have agreed to part ways after 10 seasons.

"With a heavy heart, I come to you because the Yankees have decided not to bring me back," Girardi said in a statement after David Kaplan of Chicago's ESPN radio first reported his ouster on Thursday.

The 53-year-old Girardi led the Yankees to 91 wins and within one game of the World Series in the final season of a four-year, $16 million contract.

"I want to thank Joe for his 10 years of hard work and service to this organization," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in a statement. "Everything this organization does is done with careful and thorough consideration, and we've decided to pursue alternatives for the managerial position."

With Girardi's contract expiring, there was plenty of speculation during the playoffs about whether Girardi, a former Cubs catcher who played at Northwestern University, would return to the Bronx for an 11th season. He had talked openly about possibly spending more time with his family.

"I love what I do," Girardi told reporters on Saturday after the Yankees' loss to the Astros in Game 7 of the American League championship series. "I've always said, the first thing that I do is I always talk to my family first. They come first. Because I think when you have a job, I mean, your family has to buy in, too. It's not just what you want out of life. It's everyone buying in. So I'll sit down, talk to my wife and my kids and see where they're at and what they're thinking. And then we'll see what the Yankees are thinking."

Girardi compiled a 910-710 record with the Yankees over 10 seasons. He helped lead New York to a World Series title in 2009, his second year with the club after managing the Florida Marlins for one season.

If Girardi wants to manage next season, he has at least a pair of potential suitors in the National League East. The Nationals decided not to bring back Dusty Baker after Washington lost the National League division series to the Cubs, while Philadelphia moved manager Pete Mackanin to a front office role after the season. The Phillies were reported to be leaning toward hiring Dusty Wathan, who managed the team's Class AAA affiliate at Lehigh Valley. The Nationals were set to interview Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez and Mets hitting coach Kevin Long.