Joe Girardi cited timing and family as main reasons why he turned down the Baltimore Orioles manager job on Thursday.

Girardi also said the decision had nothing to do with the New York Yankees, but that’s rather hard to believe. One has to believe with the Yankees (albeit hot now) off to a rather flat first half and Joe Torre in a contract year, that Girardi doesn’t want to miss an opportunity to coach in the Bronx. If the Yankees continue to rebound in the second half, win a title and Torre re-ups, fine, Girardi will still have suitors heading into 2008. But if NY falters this year, then Girardi makes it known he’s available to George Steinnybigwallet and he might get a crack at one of his dream jobs.

Plus hey, lets be honest, it’s not like the Baltimore job is a highly attractive one anyway, so maybe Girardi really didn’t base the decision on the Yankees.