Lost amidst the brouhaha of the Nick Swisher was a press release from the Yanks announcing what we knew a few weeks ago about the coaching staff: Rob Thomson is the new third base coach; Tony Peña will serve as Joe Girardi’s bench coach; and Mick Kelleher will be the Coach In Charge of Lighting a Fire Under Robinson Cano’s Ass first base coach. This announcement is just a formality as these changes were reported a few weeks ago.
Yanks have options to fill coaching spots
Frank Della Femina at NJ.com runs through the list of people who could potentially fill the Yanks’ new-found coaching vacancies. The usual suspects — Willie Randolph, Larry Bowa — appear on the list. I’d be less surprised to see Randolph return than I would be if Bowa came back, but I can’t imagine Joe Girardi will feel too comfortable with Randolph, an obvious candidate for the managerial spot, hanging around.
Meachem most likely to take the fall
When the Yankees don’t make the playoffs and finish in third place, someone has to take the fall. So how about the rookie third base coach who showed a tendency to get runners thrown out at the plate? Mark Feinsand reports that the Yanks are considering replacing Bobby Meachem with Luis Sojo. Despite the Yanks’ offensive woes this year, Kevin Long’s job appears to be safe.
Ti-no! Ti-no!
Everyone’s favorite late-1990s first baseman is back with the Yankees. Tino Martinez has joined the Yanks as a special instructor. His first task, it seems, will be to get Shelley Duncan used to the idea of playing first base. Tino will be assisting the team throughout the year.