The New York Yankees might not determine manager Joe Torre's fate until next week.

Speculation persists that Torre will be fired as manager of the Yankees, who were eliminated from the playoffs in three games by the Cleveland Indians in the American League Division Series.

Joe Torre has led the Yankees to 12 straight playoff berths as manager.
(Kathy Willens/Associated Press)

Torre, the priciest manager in the major leagues at $7 million US annually, has guided the Yankees to the playoffs in each of his 12 seasons at the helm.

But it marked New York's third straight opening-round exit, and Yankees owner George Steinbrenner hinted he would not return.

Steinbrenner, who resides in Tampa, Fla., is expected to meet with team management at nearby Legends Field, where the Yankees hold spring training.

However, inclement weather delayed Steinbrenner's flight late Tuesday, so they might not gather until Friday at the earliest.

"I do not feel good about it, I do not see why they are even thinking it," Yankees closer Mariano Rivera told reporters as he cleaned out his locker at Yankee Stadium. 

"I wish he is back, definitely. If you ask me what I would want, I want him back."

"I love Joe," Yankees outfielder Shelley Duncan said. "Joe is unbelievable.

"Everybody on this team will tell you the same thing. He really cares about us, as people."

Managerial material

Bench coach Don Mattingly is considered the leading candidate to, eventually, replace Torre, who has skippered the Yankees to four World Series titles (1996, 1998-2000).

Also in the running is Yankees broadcaster Joe Girardi, selected National League manager of the year honours with the Florida Marlins last season, and Tony La Russa of the St. Louis Cardinals.

"I don't know what Tony is going to do," said Duncan, whose father, Dave, is La Russa's long-time pitching coach.

"Right now, the Cardinals are a mess. I just really try to stay away from the rumours with Tony and my dad."
 
La Russa is pondering his future with the Cardinals, who fired general manager Walt Jocketty last Wednesday.

Jocketty worked with La Russa in the Oakland Athletics organization, and hired him to manage the Cardinals in 1995.

La Russa told the St. Louis Dispatch that he'll wait for a new GM to be hired before deciding whether to return to St. Louis.

"The GM is the guy I would work for directly," La Russa said. "So why would I get in a situation where the manager is not the guy who he would hire?"

With files from the Associated Press