Yanks Finalize Their Coaching Staff

From Bryan Hoch:

The Yankees have finalized their coaching staff for the 2011 season, and they announced on Tuesday that five members will return to their respective positions.

Mike Harkey, Mick Kelleher, Kevin Long, Tony Pena and Rob Thomson will serve familiar roles with the club when the Yankees' pitchers and catchers report to George M. Steinbrenner Field on Feb. 14.

The only change in New York's staff is the addition of pitching coach Larry Rothschild, a move that was announced in November. Rothschild replaces Dave Eiland, who was let go after the season and has accepted an advisory role with the Tampa Bay Rays.

No complaints here.

Larry Rothschild is the New Yankees Pitching Coach

Here's the Yankees press release, courtesy of Chad Jennings:

The New York Yankees today announced they have signed pitching coach Larry Rothschild to a three-year contract. The 2011 season will mark Rothschild’s 37th season in professional baseball as a player, coach or manager. He has served on the Major League coaching staff for two World Championship clubs – the 1990 Cincinnati Reds and 1997 Florida Marlins.

Rothschild, 56, joins the Yankees after serving as the Chicago Cubs pitching coach from 2002-10. Over the nine-year stretch, the Cubs pitching staff combined to lead the Majors in strikeouts (11,604). Cubs pitchers led the Majors in strikeouts in each of his first seven seasons as the club’s pitching coach through 2008, including a still-standing single-season Major League-record of 1,404 strikeouts in 2003.

He began his coaching career as a roving minor league pitching instructor for the Cincinnati Reds from 1986-89, before joining the Major League staff as bullpen coach from 1990-91 and then pitching coach from 1992-93. Rothschild then served as roving minor league pitching instructor for the Atlanta Braves in 1994, before taking on the role of pitching coach for the Florida Marlins from 1995-97.

Rothschild was named the first manager in Tampa Bay Devil Rays history on November 7, 1997, and remained in the position until April 18, 2001, compiling a 205-294 managerial record over the stretch. Under his guidance, the club’s winning percentage increased each of his three full seasons with the organization.

Originally signed by the Cincinnati Reds as a non-drafted free agent in 1975, Rothschild’s minor league playing career spanned 11 seasons from 1975-85 with the Cincinnati and Detroit organizations, going 66-46 with a 3.96 ERA in 387 appearances (80 starts). He made seven Major League relief outings (all with Detroit in 1981 and ’82), recording a 5.40 ERA with one save and no decisions (8.1IP, 5ER, 8H, 8BB, 1K, 1HR).

The Chicago, Ill., native graduated from Florida State University with a degree in business management.

Rothschild's "strike 'em out" approach seems to be the antithesis of more famed pitching coaches Leo Mazzone and Dave Duncan, both of whom preach to hitting the corners, pitching to contact, and keeping the ball on the ground. My knowledge of Rothschild is extremely limited, so I may be making a snap-judgment based on numbers alone - but those Cubs teams walked and struck out batters by the boatload. The Yankees certainly have the arms to fit that strategy.

Based off of the little I know about the candidates interviewed and Rothschild's history, I must say that I am a fan of this move. I'll keep my eyes open for more about the new coach's philosophy and the like.

Jennings: Yanks Have No Interest in Mazzone

According to Chad Jennings, Brian Cashman will not be interviewing Leo Mazzone for the pitching coach job. I'm not sure why the Yanks aren't interested, but Jennings did remind us that Mazzone turned down an offer from the Yanks before Ron Guidry got the job so maybe that has something to do with it.

Cashman has interviewed Gil Patterson and Mike Harkey, and that Scott Aldred would be interviewed later in the week. Rick Peterson also remains a candidate.

Add Gil Patterson to List of Pitching Coach Candidates

From Mark Feinsand:

The Yankees rewarded Kevin Long with a new three-year contract to return as hitting coach, but they may be looking outside the organization to find his pitching equivalent.

Gil Patterson, who pitched for the Yankees in 1977 and coached in their system in 2005-06, will interview for the vacant pitching coach position.

...

The A's granted permission for the Yankees to speak with Patterson, who has been Oakland's roving pitching instructor since 2007.

...

"I certainly hope I get the opportunity to speak with them," Patterson told the Daily News in a telephone interview. "It's where I started my career. It would feel like I was going home. The Yankees have always felt like home for me."

As of now Patterson joins a list that includes Mike Harkey and Scott Aldred as potential candidates for the job. Leo Mazzone mentioned that he would like an opportunity with the Yanks (or Mets), but I've yet to read his that the Yankees are considering him.

Long Signs New Deal

From George A. King III:

According to multiple industry sources, Kevin Long and the Yankees have agreed to a three-year deal that runs concurrent with the pact manager Joe Girardi recently signed.

Long, whose three-year deal worth about $1.2 million expired yesterday, will receive a raise. Next season will be Long's sixth handling the Yankees' hitters.

...It is believed third-base coach Rob Thomson, first-base coach Mick Kelleher and bench coach Tony Pena will return. All of their contracts expired yesterday.

Bullpen coach Mike Harkey is a strong candidate to take over for departed pitching coach Dave Eiland -- Single-A Staten Island manager Josh Paul would become the bullpen coach.

Harkey? Really?

Anyway, Long more than deserved a new deal, he's done a great job as hitting coach since taking over for Mattingly in 2007.

Mazzone Hoping To Join Yanks (or Mets)

From Justin Terranova:

Leo Mazzone is looking for a job in New York.

The former Braves pitching coach said Thursday he would love to take on the same job with either the Mets or Yankees. Mazzone was asked on Sirius/XM’s Mad Dog Radio if there was any particular job he would be interested in.

“Yeah, there certainly is,” Mazzone said. “And it has New York in front of it, too. I mean, it can be in the American League or the National League.”

I'd have no problem with bringing on Mazzone and seeing what he can do with this staff. He certainly did the job in Atlanta, not only with the great pitchers on that staff, but with the mediocre ones he helped turn into to quality starters. And while he clearly didn't have the same success when he came over to the Orioles a few years ago, he didn't really have that much to work with.

No Front-Runners For Now Vacant Pitching Coach Job

From Ken Davidoff:

Yankees will look inside and outside organization for Eiland's replacement. No obvious favorite.

Does anybody top your list?

Kevin Long Gets An Early Start

From Bryan Hoch (hat-tip to TYU):

While the rest of baseball clings to its last weeks of Hot Stove hibernation, Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long has already rolled into the new season, logging frequent-flyer miles to put in batting cage hours with several players.

Long is spending this week overseeing Alex Rodriguez's first swings of 2010 and has already spent a good chunk of the winter helping Nick Swisher. A visit with Curtis Granderson is also ahead, as Long sacrifices his down time in the hopes that New York's offense will be a dominant force as they defend the World Series title.

"Last year, I set out to bring guys together and get a real pulse of guys to see where they were," Long said. "I wanted to see if we could make this a more team-oriented group. [Manager] Joe Girardi did a terrific job, obviously, and it seemed like those efforts were well-spent. I don't have a problem doing it if guys come together. The team chemistry that I saw last year was a lot of fun."

Long mentions in the article that Swisher got a steady diet of off-speed stuff during the playoffs and struggled, so that's been one of the main thing's he's focused on with Swish:

"We've got his hands closer to his body, and we've got to get him consistent with his lower half. If we do all of those things, you might see a guy who's able to react better to an offspeed pitch."

Next week Long will be meeting with one of the newest Yankees, Curtis Granderson, and as you might expect he'll be trying to help him figure out how to hit lefties.

"He's obviously more productive against right-handed pitching, but he's had productive years against left-handed pitching -- and a lot of non-productive years," Long said. "My job is to try to get him to feel as comfortable as possible, without forcing it. I don't know what he's done in the past, but I'd really like to get a sense of his mentality against left-handed pitching."

Gotta give Long credit for being as dedicated as he is. Keep up the good work, Kevin.

Yanks Want To Bring Entire Coaching Staff Back

According to Marc Carig, the "Yankees told entire coaching staff that they'd be offered jobs again. They want to keep staff together, but negotiations not done." Make sense to me, coming off a World Series win there's no reason to fix what ain't broken.

Kevin Long is already under contract for next season, but the rest of the staff has not yet been retained. I'm assuming that will get done shortly.

Yanks Nowhere With Their Coaches

From George A. King III:

No Yankees coach except hitting instructor Kevin Long is signed for next year. And while the general feeling is that the rest of Joe Girardi's staff is wanted back, none has been offered a contract for 2010.

"We are nowhere," GM Brian Cashman said when asked where he was at concerning the 2010 staff. "We would love to have all of them back under the proper circumstances."

Long signed a three-year deal for about $1.125 million before the 2008 season that expires after next year. The contracts of pitching coach Dave Eiland, third base coach Rob Thomson, bench coach Tony Pena, first base coach Mick Kelleher and bullpen coach Mike Harkey have expired.

I've never been a big supporter of many of the coaches on this staff, but after a World Series win I can't see any changes being needed.

Kevin Long's Winter Vacation

Kevin Long has had a busy offseason. He traveled to Tampa to visit with Jorge Posada, Miami to see Alex Rodriguez, and also to the Dominican Republic to meet with Robinson Cano. He spoke with Pete Caldera for this article, and here's what he has to say about the three.

First on Jorge:

"Posada gives us that leadership, and that kind of grit we were missing,"...

Earlier this week, Long spent three days in Tampa, Fla., with Posada, who has increased his throwing to 90 feet and expects to be ready by opening day.

"Looking at his swing, it was just like I remember it – short, compact, explosive from both sides," Long said, speaking from the Philadelphia airport on his way to a coaching clinic in Cherry Hill.

And A-Rod:

Long's first winter destination was Miami, where he spent another four-day stay with A-Rod. It was the third straight off-season session between Long and Rodriguez at A-Rod's home, and Long intends to visit the slugger once more before spring training begins.

"It's not so much mechanical anymore," Long said of his visits. "It's about him feeling good, making sure his mind's right."

"If I went through a divorce, I can tell you I wouldn't be the same person at work," Long said of Rodriguez, who also lost a month due to a quad injury. "I would have been heavily burdened."

But now, as far as A-Rod's mental state is concerned, "I think he's in a much better place," Long said. "He's anxious, fired up – ready to go."

And Cano:

"There were a lot of changes that occurred in September, from the standpoint of how he played the game," said Long, who felt the second baseman might have gone from "80 percent to maybe 100 percent" in his daily concentration level.

Late in the season, Cano finally decided to incorporate Long's ideas about less movement in his stance, and, "I think he was amazed, and I was amazed, at how quick that transformation happened," Long said.

Cano took those mechanics into winter ball, and also hired a personal strength and conditioning trainer. "That says a lot about where this kid wants to be.

"That [benching] was a stab to [his] ego a little bit, and he was able to come back from that – he made it a positive," said Long, who made his first-ever trip to the Dominican Republic this winter to work on Cano's hitting and his mental approach.

"Personally, our relationship is as strong as it's ever been."

I've never been a big fan of Kevin Long, but one thing I'll say about him is I like his optimism. Optimism is a very important part of not only being a hitting coach, but to hitting in general. If you don't have the utmost confidence that you will succeed at the plate, there is a pretty darn good chance you won't.

I also think his hands-on approach will be a help to certain players, specifically Cano and other young players on the team. Gaining a player's trust is also a very important part of coaching.

As far as Cano himself is concerned, I hate the fact that it took him until September to listen to his coach. That really bothers me a lot. A player, no matter how good they are, or think they are, will have a lot of problems in this game if they remain pigheaded and always believe they know best. The reason coaches are there is to fix a players problems if they fall into bad habits, and a player must be mature enough to take the advice given. Hopefully he has realized this and is ready to be the player we all know he can be.

A-Rod will be fine, I don't think anyone is worried about him, and the same can be said for Jorge, as long as he's healthy.

Coaching Staff Announced

This was pretty much known already, but the Yankees made an official announcement today.

First base coach - Mick Kelleher
Third base coach - Rob Thomson
Bench coach - Tony Pena
Pitching coach - Dave Eiland
Hitting coach - Kevin Long
Bullpen coach - Mike Harkey

I still think Kevin Long needs to go, but besides that I like the staff.

Pena To Become Yanks Next Bench Coach

From Joel Sherman:

The Yankees are set to finalize their coaching staff with the slight surprise that Tony Pena is going to become Joe Girardi's bench coach, The Post has learned.

The moves were not finalized, but it appears almost certain that the way the coaching staff will be configured is with Pena shifting from first base to the bench; Rob Thomson moving from the bench to third base; and Mick Kelleher being named the first-base coach. Third-base coach Bobby Meacham was fired after the season.

This is a good move for the Yankees, Pena has managerial experience and it will be good to have him in Girardi's ear.

Kelleher May Join Yanks Coaching Staff

From Ed Price:

According to a member of the organization who requested anonymity because nothing is finalized, Kelleher is the leading candidate to replace third-base coach Bobby Meacham. But the Yankees have not decided exactly who would fill what role; Kelleher, the team's minor-league defensive coordinator since 2006, could coach first base with Tony Pena moving to third or be the bench coach, with Rob Thomson taking over at third.

Kelleher, 61, played 622 games as a major-league infielder (1972-82) and was a big-league first-base coach for the 1986 Pirates and 2003-05 Tigers.

I don't know much about Kelleher, but I like the fact that he's defensive minded. We'll see what happens.

Cashman Discusses Various Topics

From Ed Price:

Yankees GM Brian Cashman made an appearance at Foley's NY Pub in Manhattan Tuesday to promote the release of the game and gave his first public comments on Joba Chamberlain's arrest earlier this month.

Asked if he is confident that it was a one-time error by Chamberlain, Cashman said he wasn't.

"He knows that we care a great deal about him," the GM said. "He knows that he's got all the support from us that we can provide, because we do care about him. At the same time, I can't tell you I'm confident about anything that goes on in other peoples' personal lives."

"He made a mistake," Cashman said. "He apologized for it. Thank God no one was hurt. It's a very serious issue. I hope that's the end of it."

"He knows that stuff like that can't happen," Cashman said. "And he's the first to admit that. And hopefully it's something he has and will learn from."

Cashman had this to say about the upcoming off-season:

"I'd love to be able to dictate the tempo of how the winter goes," he said, "but that's not normal.

"We're going to be aggressive, but we always are. ... There's a lot of things that I wish I could do. Whether I'll be able to do them, I have no idea. We'll find out soon enough."

He also said that as far as he knows, Mike Mussina has not made a decision about next year yet.

Peter Abraham also reported on Cashman's appearance at Foley's:

On the third-base coach situation: “It can come from within; it can come from outside the organization. (Manager Joe Girardi) and I have been talking a great deal about what direction we should go.” Cashman talked about the idea of moving Tony Pena or Rob Thomson to third and hiring somebody to fill their spots.”

Jorge Posada: “He’s doing the rehab on his shoulder. His throwing program commences the first week of December.”Is Posada their catcher? “Yes. The plan is for Jorge Posada to be our catcher.”

Chien-Ming Wang: The Wanger was in NYC today getting his right foot checked out and got a clean bill of health. He threw a bullpen in Tampa on Monday. “He’s doing terrific,” Cashman said. “He was fine. He had no pain, no problem.”

Bowa To Stay With Dodgers

The Dodgers announced today the Larry Bowa, along with the rest of the coaching staff, will return to L.A. for the 2009 season. So the Yankees will have to look elsewhere for a 3rd base coach.

Sveum or Gallego Could Coach Third

Well, at least according to George A King III they could.

With Dale Sveum out as the Brewers manager and having third base coaching experience with the Red Sox, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was asked if Sveum was on the list of names to replace Bobby Meacham.

"Could not say yes or no, just looking for the right person," Cashman said yesterday.

The Yankees have an interest in Larry Bowa returning, but Bowa has to opt out of the final year of his two-year deal with the Dodgers before the Yankees officially can contact him. Former Yankees infielder and Rockies coach Mike Gallego is also in the mix.

Apparently Sveum wasn't too popular in Boston when he coached third there, Steve Lombardi has more on that over at WasWatching.com.

King: Bowa Leading Candidate to Replace Meacham

He doesn't mention a source (what else is new?) but according to George A. King III Larry Bowa is on top of the Yanks' list to replace Meacham as third base coach.

Bowa is still under contract with the Dodgers, but does have an out in his contract. Since the Dodgers were eliminated last night, the Yankees can now contact Bowa to see if he's interested.

I'm not sure how much interest he would have in returning to the Bronx, after all he did follow Torre out to L.A. when he could have stayed with the Yanks last year. But if he does want to return I think this would be a great move for the Yankees. Bowa is a great third base coach, and is one of the few people who can get Robinson Cano's head out of his ass.

Update: Joel Sherman also believes that Bowa is the leading candidate, and wonders if he would try to get the Yankees to bring in Manny Ramirez.

(Bowa) just spent 2 1-2 months with Ramirez and loved it. The Yanks do not currently have Ramirez as a priority for the offseason, and it is possible that Ramirez might not want to return home to New York after saying he did not like the Boston fishbowl (though I suspect the team that gives Manny a penny more is the one he will sign with). I would not be surprised if Bowa became a strong advocate of signing Ramirez if he does indeed become a Yankee employee again.

Randolph May Be Open To Coaching

From George A. King III:

The Yankees New York Yankees need a third-base coach, and Willie Randolph needs a job.

So the chance is there for the former Mets manager to return to The Bronx.

Immediately, Randolph and Larry Bowa jumped to the top of the list as possible replacements. And there is a chance bench coach Rob Thomson could be moved to third base with the Yankees hiring a veteran bench coach to assist Girardi.

Randolph, reached in South Carolina by The Post, said he hopes to land a managing gig but would be open to returning as a coach under the right circumstances. However, he was very clear there hasn't been any talk of him returning to The Bronx where he was a coach from 1994 to 2004, and played second base from 1976 to 1988 as a team captain.

"I heard rumors about (Yankee) changes," Randolph said. "I haven't talked to anyone. I buzzed Brian (Cashman) to congratulate him (on his new contract), but other than that I have had no contact at all. I'll try and wait to see what happens."

"I don't get a sense much will open up," Randolph said of managerial openings. Seattle is expected to open after they hire a GM and there is a chance the Brewers will have a vacancy. "I will keep an eye on managing. To go back to the field as a bench coach or third-base coach is an option to explore. Let's wait and see."

One drawback to hiring Randolph as a coach is that he would be linked to the manager's job if the Yankees fire Girardi next year. And if Girardi gets axed and Randolph doesn't get the job, the backlash from Yankees fans would be severe.

That may be a huge drawback, at least for Girardi. I don't know if the Yankees brass would care, but it wouldn't make Joe Girardi's job any easier if he's always looking over his shoulder. It could also make Girardi's already shaky status in the clubhouse even worse. Hopefully the two could coexists, but I don't know if that could happen.

As for Bowa, he said, "I am just worried about this game."

I'd be very happy it if either of these two came back. Both of them are good coaches, and I'm sure they both could help Robinson Cano a lot - we already know Bowa can and has.

But with that said I don't think either of them returning is likely. Randolph for the reason mentioned at the end of the article, and Bowa because of his loyalty to Joe Torre.

Meacham Fired

From Ed Price:

The Yankees will not renew the contract of third-base coach Bobby Meacham, the team said today.

No replacement has been named, and the Yankees could not say whether the rest of the staff will remain intact. General manager Brian Cashman was not immediately available for comment.

We all know he wasn't a great third base coach, so this was expected. On Saturday it was reported that if Meacham was not brought back the Yankees could sign Luis "send 'em home" Sojo as his replacement - I'm not a fan of this idea at all. Look somewhere else Yanks.

UPDATE: Mark Feinsand is reporting that Yankees' special pitching instructor Rich Monteleone will also not be retained for 2009.