Don Mattingly, following in the footsteps of Joe Girardi, arrived this morning in Tampa this morning to plead his case to the Yankees Brass.

The current bench coach arrived at 10 a.m. at the Minor League Complex where he was expected to meet for two hours with the baseball operations team, headed by General Manager Brian Cashman.

He is then expected to go to George Steinbrenner’s office at Legend’s Field.

Mattingly is tracing the steps of Girardi, who Hank Steinbrenner hailed as “smart.” Tony Pena is on deck to interview for the spot left vacant by Joe Torre, who rejected a $5 million offer to lead the Yankees during a 13th season.