Yankees retain all coaches for 2014
From left, bench coach Tony Pena, manager Joe Girardi and pitching coach Larry Rothschild look on from the dugout in the first inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. (Sept. 24, 2013) Credit: Jim McIsaac
Joe Girardi's lieutenants will all return for the 2014 season.
The Yankees announced Friday afternoon that all members of Girardi's coaching staff would be back next season: Mike Harkey (bullpen), Mick Kelleher (first base), Kevin Long (hitting), Tony Pena (bench), Larry Rothschild (pitching) and Rob Thomson (third base).
Pena is the longest-tenured member of the coaching staff, having served for eight years, the last five in his current capacity. Long is next up, having been hitting coach since 2007.
The coaching staff's consistency will likely stand in stark contrast to the rest of the roster.
The pitching staff will look much different after the retirement of Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera and the expected free agent departures of Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Boone Logan and possibly Hiroki Kuroda.
Depending on how his appeal of a 211-game suspension goes, the lineup could miss Alex Rodriguez for some or all of next season. Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira are returning after injuries that prevented them from playing the majority of the season. Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano are free agents.
