How Brian Cashman views Yankees coaching vacancies after getting ‘raided’

The Yankees will replace bench coach Brad Ausmus and hitting coach James Rowson for the 2027 season after both leave for other roles. General manager Brian Cashman described the departures, alongside another coaching staff move, as evidence that the Yankees’ coaches are in demand, while the team now faces several important hiring decisions.

The Yankees have spoken several times with former Dodgers co-hitting coach Aaron Bates about Rowson’s vacancy, and former Astros manager Joe Espada is among the candidates for bench coach. Cashman said the club will interview candidates with Aaron Boone, but will not rush the process; the Yankees would like to appoint a bench coach before the 1 December lockout and see hiring a hitting coach before then as especially important so the coach can meet players. Boone enters the final year of his contract, and it remains unclear whether that will affect candidates’ willingness to join.