Gary Denbo expected to replace Mark Newman in Yankees' front office
Then-Toronto Blue Jays hitting coach Gary Denbo poses for a photo on Feb. 22, 2008. Credit: AP / Keith Srakocic
Gary Denbo will assume many, though not all, of the responsibilities that had been held by Mark Newman, sources confirmed Monday, as the Yankees' organizational overhaul continues. Newman, the club's senior vice president of baseball operations, announced in September he is retiring after 26 years with the team, the last 15 in his current role.
Denbo, 53, formerly a hitting coach for the club who in recent years has been in player development and scouting, will oversee the farm system, which has received a good deal of criticism in recent years for not producing enough major league-caliber players, particularly position players.
The system has had better luck in the pitching department, with David Robertson, Adam Warren, Dellin Betances and David Phelps among those who have stuck.
Discussions continue within the organization about bringing in former Mets general manager Omar Minaya -- a senior VP with the Padres who might want to return to the East Coast -- in some kind of player development or scouting capacity.
Dave Magadan, thought by many to be the favorite for the hitting coach position, will not be getting it. Magadan said as much Monday to the San Francisco Chronicle, which also reported that he could be in line for the A's job. Magadan was quoted extensively during the interview process, which may have rubbed some in the Yankees' organization the wrong way.
Another candidate, Chili Davis, recently signed with the Red Sox. A dark horse for the position is Dante Bichette, a former hitting coach with the Rockies who is close friends with manager Joe Girardi and whose son is a third-base prospect in the Yankees' system.
Spring training dates set. The Yankees announced their 33-game spring training schedule, a slate that includes a home-and-home with the Mets. The Yankees open their spring schedule March 3 against the Phillies and have their George M. Steinbrenner Field opener a day later. They'll play the Mets in Port St. Lucie March 22 and at GMS Field March 25. Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 20. The first full-squad workout is Feb. 26.
