Major League Baseball

THOMSON TARGETED BY BLUE JAYS

Published Oct. 18, 2010 10:13 p.m. ET

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YANKEES NOTES

ARLINGTON, Texas - According to an industry source, Yankees third base coach Rob Thomson talked to the Blue Jays' front office about their managerial opening via phone this week.

Because the Yankees had been off since Sunday after sweeping the Twins in three games in the ALDS, the Yankees granted Thomson permission to speak to the Blue Jays by phone during the down time.

The 47-year-old Thomson, a native of Ontario, has been with the Yankees for 21 years serving in a variety of positions.

He has been the major league third base coach, bench coach, minor league field coordinator, director of player development and VP of minor league player development. He managed Oneonta (Single-A) in 1995 and served as a minor league coach.

In addition to his third base coaching, duties, Thomson is heavily involved in compiling scouting reports for upcoming opponents.

Though Game 2 today is a 4:07 p.m. start, manager Joe Girardi isn't looking it as a day-after-night deal when it comes to who will catch.

Asked if he would use Francisco Cervelli with Phil Hughes today after Jorge Posada (0-for-4) caught CC Sabathia during the Yankees' 6-5 comeback victory, Girardi offered an emphatic, "No."

Using Sabathia, who gave up five runs and six hits over four innings of work last night, on three days' rest in Game 4 instead of A.J. Burnett is an issue Girardi wasn't willing to talk about.

Sabathia, last night's starter, said Thursday he was willing to pitch Game 4 on short rest but would need to know before he throws a bullpen session Sunday at Yankee Stadium.

"Right now the plan is to throw A.J. in Game 4," Girardi said of the right-hander who wasn't part of the ALDS rotation against the Twins.

Girardi didn't respond to a hypothetical question about the Yankees being in a 0-2 hole before Sabathia throws a bullpen tomorrow. . . . Yankees ownership was represented at Game 1 by general partner/vice chairperson Jessica Steinbrenner and husband Felix Lopez, executive VP.

Mark Teixeira (0-for-4) said Thursday Sabathia is the top free agent ever signed by the Yankees. That may come as news to Reggie Jackson, considering Sabathia is ending his second season. "It's early, you can't say that," general manager Brian Cashman said. "Catfish Hunter and George [Steinbrenner] did enough in the '70s with free agency and went back-to-back."

Rangers president Nolan Ryan doesn't believe general manager Jon Daniels is leaving Texas.

"His contract is up after this season and obviously we want to retain him," Ryan said of the Queens native. "There has been speculation about him getting other opportunities, but I feel pretty comfortable that this is his organization and these are his people and it's an exciting time to be associated with the Texas Rangers. So, I really would be shocked if he didn't stay with us."

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