The New York Yankees were shocked to learn that the Detroit Tigers hired shamed Houston Astros manager A. J. Hinch. No matter how shocked they were, they were most likely pleased that their bench coach, Carlos Mendoza, Aaron Boone’s right-hand man, might be staying after all. They also could have potentially lost their pitching coach Marcus Thames who was also being considered. However, there is still talk that Mendoza is being considered for the Red Sox job as well. He has been interviewed twice by the Sox.
During the postseason general manager, Brian Cashman was interviewed and indicated that he was not expecting any coaching changes. Aaron Boone would be the field manager for the 2021 season. The loss of one or both of these coaches would be hurtful to the Yankees and the overall coaching staff and would be another slot to fill in an offseason with so many decisions to be made.
A. J. Hinch will have a lot contend with as the new Detroit Tiger manager. Not only will he have to guide a team that has played so poorly in the last few years, but he will have to overcome the shame of his cheating involvement during his time with the Houston Astros. When MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that the Houston Astros cheated during the 2017 season and postseason, Astros owner Jim Crane fired Hinch when he learned of the MLB suspension.
That apparently doesn’t bother the Detroit Tigers, as, within minutes of the end of the World Series, owner Al Avila of the Tigers was on the phone with Hinch, telling him to get on a plane and head for the Tiger’s Comerica Park. Hinch was interviewed and immediately hired.
MLB determined that the Houston Astros cheated during the 2017 season and postseason by using electronic equipment and by other means that Hinch must have known about. The New York Yankees lost to the Astros in the ALCS. This caused Jose Altuve to get MVP, leaving second-place Aaron Judge in the dust. Many believe that the Astros again cheated the Yankees during the 2019 season, although it was never proved.
The once-great Detroit Tigers have been lingering at the bottom of the AL Central for several years now. They finished this season better than last but still at the bottom of the heap; they went 25-35, finishing last in the AL Central. Just days before the end of the season three-year manager Ron Gardenhire retired from the game citing his health. Bench coach Lloyd McClendon took over as interim manager. The managerial search has ended with the signing of A.J. Hinch.