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Yankees haven’t decided fate of hitting coach James Rowson: ‘Just takes time’
The Yankees have yet to decide whether hitting coach James Rowson will return, as general manager Brian Cashman reviews the club’s hitting staff and considers other options. The decision matters because the team’s offence faltered late in the season and in the playoffs, and an external hire would have limited time to work with players before a potential lockout.
Rowson’s contract has expired and he is speaking with other clubs; assistant hitting coaches Casey Dykes and Jake Hirst are also awaiting decisions. The Yankees scored 4.59 runs per game, eighth in the majors, and had a .720 OPS, ranking 11th. Aaron Judge missed more than three months with a broken rib and later sat out the playoffs with a calf strain; Giancarlo Stanton also missed five months and is expected to attend spring training.
In short
- The Yankees have not decided whether James Rowson will return as hitting coach.
- The club is reviewing its hitting staff after another disappointing playoff exit.
- Judge’s injuries and weak postseason hitting added to the team’s offensive problems.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The Yankees have reason to consider a change: the offence struggled late in the season and playoffs, and reviewing the coaching staff is a way to seek better results. A new hitting coach could bring fresh ideas and accountability, while the club’s strong resources and remaining time before spring training may allow a hire to make an impact.
The case against
The team’s overall offence ranked among the league’s better groups, and injuries to key hitters such as Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton complicate any judgement of the coaches’ performance. Keeping Rowson could preserve continuity and give him a chance to work with a healthier lineup; an outside hire would have limited time to build trust and prepare players before a potential lockout.
Explained simply
The New York Yankees are a Major League Baseball team, and hitting coaches work with players on batting technique and preparation. James Rowson has served as the club’s hitting coach; the team’s general manager, Brian Cashman, oversees decisions about its coaching staff.
A team’s offence is measured in part by how often it scores and by OPS, a statistic combining a player’s ability to reach base and hit for power. The Yankees’ key hitters Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton missed substantial time through injury, which is relevant context when assessing the team’s batting.
Coaching decisions can affect how players prepare and how a team approaches hitting. If the Yankees appoint someone from outside the organisation, that coach may have limited time to work with the squad before a possible league-wide lockout disrupts preparations.