The New York Yankees require a pitching coaching, following the firing of Larry Rothschild, and yes, it was a firing considering he had one year left on his contract.
Numerous options are on the table for the Bombers, but one stands out from the rest. YES Network analyst David Cone has stated that he is willing to listen if the Yankees are to consider him for the open position.
Rothschild’s demise was, unfortunately, his old-school mentality, which didn’t fit the analytical/modernized approach of the Yankees and head coach, Aaron Boone. Bringing in an advanced option could be a great thing, especially to compliment the direction the organization is going.
What does David Cone offer the New York Yankees?
Cone is fantastic in the booth, offering advanced analytics and commentary to break down plays for the typical fan. While this doesn’t necessarily translate to success as a pitching coach, he has the experience as a player and is very knowledgeable about the Yankees brand and how they plan to proceed in the future.
The former Yankees pitched 17 seasons in the MLB, six of them being with the Bombers and several more with the Mets across the yard. He was a part of the 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000 Championship teams.
While Rothschild served his time as the pitching coach for eight seasons, it was clear that a change needed to be made after several quality options faltered in the face of adversity — notable, J.A. Happ.
General manager Brian Cashman commented on his release:
“I want to personally thank Larry for his near decade of commitment to this organization,†general manager Brian Cashman said in a statement Monday. “Larry cares deeply about his craft and the pitchers under his tutelage, and he played a significant role in our successes over the past nine seasons. There’s a reason why Larry has had the type of distinguished baseball career he’s had, and it starts with experience and dedication that is difficult to emulate.â€
Aaron Boone stated:
“Larry is someone I leaned on extensively over these past two years. I’m truly grateful that I had someone as established and loyal as Larry as I made my transition to the dugout. Seeing him work day after day, I have a deep appreciation for how devoted he was to his craft and how tirelessly he dove into his responsibilities. His distinguished career clearly reflects how highly he is regarded amongst his peers in baseball, and I wish him the very best moving forward.â€
This article is not a slight on Rothschild, whatsoever. Still, with an analytical approach being the priority, it makes sense that the Yankees decided to take the job in a different direction.