TAMPA, Fla. Tony Gonzalez Youth Jersey . -- Hank Steinbrenner wants Joe Girardi to remain with the New York Yankees and is awaiting the managers decision on a new contract. Girardis current deal expires at the end of the month, and the team offered a new agreement last week. "Its up to him now," Steinbrenner, the teams co-chairman, said Tuesday. The Yankees failed to make the playoffs for the second time in 19 years and finished with an 85-77 record, their poorest since 1992. All-Stars Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson missed much of the season. "Well, the No. 1 thing is, and its not an excuse, the injuries were catastrophic," Steinbrenner said. "And thats the word for it, catastrophic. Ive never seen anything like it. Weve been in baseball for 40 years, and I havent seen anything like it. It was crazy." New York was mathematically eliminated during the last week of the season, losing nine times in a 12-game span before finishing with a three-game sweep at woeful Houston. "Its amazing how they hung in for as long as they did," Steinbrenner said. "Showed a lot of toughness." Yankees general manager Brian Cashman says the team would like to get under the $189 million luxury-tax threshold for next season, which includes room for about $177 million in salaries. A season-long suspension of Alex Rodriguez would lower the payroll by $27.5 million. Getting under the threshold would cut the Yankees tax rate from 50 per cent to 17.5 per cent in 2015, and there would be additional savings under the revenue sharing plan. But New York would have to spend if wants to retain second baseman Robinson Cano and Granderson, who are eligible for free agency. "We want to make improvements now," Steinbrenner said. "The 189 is just a one-year thing. Its not a permanent thing. If we can deal with that, well going to try and do that, and that will make it easier for us in the future. But that doesnt mean we wont be able to make some moves." Steinbrenner is working to improve the Yankees player development system, which was not able to provide enough adequate replacements this year for the lost offence when the regulars got hurt. "Weve got to add to what we have in the farm system," Steinbrenner said. The Yankees scheduled organizational meetings beginning this week to determine off-season plans. "Were still going to do everything we can to win the World Series every year," Steinbrenner said. Mecole Hardman Youth Jersey . - Pierre-Maxime Poudrier scored twice and added an assist, and Antoine Bibeau made 43 saves as the Val-dOr Foreur downed the Baie-Comeau Drakkar 6-3 on Sunday to force Game 7 in their Quebec Major Junior Hockey League final series. Marcus Allen Chiefs Jersey . "I had a pretty good year," the soft-spoken Granberg told TSN.ca with a grin from the teams annual rookie tournament in London. A fourth-round selection in 2010, Granberg is worth keeping an eye on with NHL training camps rolling around in less than a week. The six-foot-two, 200-pound defender may not possess the wow-inspiring theatrics of fellow prospect Morgan Rielly, but nonetheless has a chance to contribute with the Leafs when all is said and done this season. http://www.thechiefsshoponline.com/Youth-Tony-Gonzalez-Chiefs-Jersey/ . - Chelseas 1-0 win at the Etihad, spoiling Manchester Citys perfect home record continues to be the talking point of the week.BOSTON -- Dustin Pedroia spent the first month of the season just one home run shy of 100 in his career. Pedroia reached the milestone with a little panache, hitting a grand slam in the sixth inning and propelling the Boston Red Sox to a 7-1 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night. "I was pretty excited to hit a home run. Its been a while," said Pedroia, who had gone 160 at-bats without one. The skid ended when the Red Sox truly needed it, clinging to a 2-1 lead on a night when both clubs were failing to drive in runs. Pedroia drove an 0-2 pitch out to left field in the sixth inning for his second career grand slam and first homer since Sept. 17. "Honestly, I was just trying to drive one run in," Pedroia said. "As a team, weve been scuffling a little bit with guys on." The grand slam put Boston up 6-1 and the cushion was plenty for Clay Buchholz (2-2), who shut down the team with the top record in the American League. Buchholz pitched 6 1-3 innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out five. He walked three and got himself out of several jams as the As left five on base and were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position against Buchholz. "We hit some balls hard. We hit a lot of balls hard, actually -- right at people and then didnt get some hits when we did have some guys on base," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. John Jaso scored Oaklands only run, coming in on a wild pitch after leading off the third with a triple. Boston was having its own struggles with runners on before Pedroia came through in the sixth off of reliever Ryan Cook. Xander Bogaerts and A.J. Pierzynski started the sixth with back-to-back singles off Dan Otero, who began the inning. Otero struck out Will Middlebrooks, then walked Bradley to load the bases with one out. Cook relieved Otero and got Pedroia down 0-2, before he cleared the bases with a shot that just cleared the Green Monster. As manager Bob Melvin challenged whether thhe ball cleared the yellow line before a fan touched it and lost the appeal. Juan Thornhill Womens Jersey. The milestone homer put him in elite Red Sox company as only the second player in franchise history with 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases. Pedroia, who stole his 121st career base in the first inning, joins Carl Yastrzemski (452 home runs, 168 steals). "They told me that after the game. Thats crazy," Pedroia said. "I guess Im getting old. But just having your name anywhere said with his is an accomplishment." Boston hadnt scored since getting a pair of runs in the second inning off starter Dan Straily (1-2). Grady Sizemore led off with a double and scored on Pierzynskis single with one out. Jackie Bradley Jr. added a two-out double to drive in Pierzynski and Boston led 2-0. Straily pitched 4 1-3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out three and walked three. "I felt like every single time, every batter I was behind 2-0. Thats just not the way to pitch," Straily said. "Its just a frustrating day." Bradley ended a potential rally for the As in the eighth with a leaping catch at the centre field wall, then hitting Pedroia with a strong relay throw. Pedroia threw to Mike Napoli as Josh Donaldson scrambled to get back after rounding second before seeing Bradley make the catch. Notes: The series continues Saturday afternoon with Boston LHP Jon Lester (2-4) scheduled to face Oakland lefty Tommy Milone (0-2). .. Oakland played its first game in May after tying the franchise record for wins in April at 18-9. ... Buchholz allowed 12 runs on 20 hits over 6 2-3 innings in his first two starts at Fenway Park this season. ... Boston rookie SS Xander Bogaerts has reached safely in 14 straight games. ... Boston C A.J. Pierzynski was played his 1,700th career game behind the plate. ... Pedroia could catch Yastrzemskis steal total of 168, but Yazs 452 homers are probably out of reach for Bostons pesky second baseman. ' ' '