With Brad Ausmus, Tanner Swanson and James Rowson heading elsewhere, Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman have several important coaching decisions to make ahead of 2027.
The New York Yankees already had plenty on their offseason to-do list. Now, they can add rebuilding a significant portion of Aaron Boone’s coaching staff to it.
Within days, the Yankees lost three key coaches: bench coach Brad Ausmus, hitting coach James Rowson and Major League field coordinator and director of catching Tanner Swanson.
All three accepted positions with other organizations, leaving Brian Cashman with several vacancies to fill alongside the roster decisions already facing New York.
The timing is interesting, particularly after another disappointing postseason that raised familiar questions about the Yankees’ offensive approach and execution of the fundamentals.
Brad Ausmus leaves Yankees for Houston Astros
Ausmus spent three seasons as Boone’s bench coach before accepting the managerial position with the Houston Astros on November 11.
The former catcher previously managed the Detroit Tigers from 2014–2017 and Los Angeles Angels in 2019. Now, he’ll return to Houston, where he spent 10 seasons during his playing career.
His departure leaves Boone searching for another right-hand man, a position responsible for everything from game preparation to in-game decisions.
Interestingly, his replacement could come from the very organization that hired him.
According to Randy Miller of NJ.com, former Astros manager Joe Espada has emerged as a frontrunner for the vacancy.
Espada, who managed Houston from 2024–2026, is already familiar with the Yankees organization, having served as its third-base coach from 2015–2017.
James Rowson’s departure creates opportunity for offensive change
Rowson is also moving on after three seasons in the Bronx, joining the San Francisco Giants as their offensive coordinator.
His departure comes after another season in which the Yankees struggled to find offensive consistency, particularly when it mattered most.
Yes, New York had its share of injuries. But the problems with situational hitting, making productive outs and manufacturing runs without relying on home runs weren’t new.
They were painfully familiar.
During the ALDS against Tampa Bay, the Yankees were once again exposed by a team that simply executed the fundamentals better.
As New York’s October struggles demonstrated, the Rays didn’t need to overpower the Yankees. They put the ball in play, took extra bases and capitalized on mistakes while New York continued waiting for the big hit.
Through the first two games, the Yankees’ Nos. 3 through 7 hitters went a combined 0-for-33 with 11 strikeouts and one walk.
That’s not an approach that’s going to win many postseason games.
With Rowson’s contract having expired, Cashman was already evaluating his options before the hitting coach departed.
NJ.com’s Randy Miller also reported former Dodgers co-hitting coach Aaron Bates and former Phillies hitting coach Joe Dillon have both interviewed for the vacancy.
Whoever takes over will inherit a talented lineup that needs to get back to the basics: making contact, working counts, advancing runners and playing disciplined, situational baseball.
The Yankees have enough power. They need a more complete offensive approach.
Tanner Swanson heads to Seattle Mariners
Swanson’s departure might not attract the same attention, but his contributions to New York’s catching department shouldn’t be overlooked.
After seven seasons with the Yankees, Swanson accepted the bench coach position with the Seattle Mariners on November 9.
He joined New York as its director of catching in 2020 before adding field coordinator responsibilities in 2024.
During his tenure, the Yankees became one of baseball’s strongest organizations in catcher framing, leading MLB with 86 framing runs from 2020–2026.
His work with Jose Trevino and Austin Wells helped establish that defensive foundation.
New York is reportedly promoting Aaron Gershenfeld, previously the organization’s run prevention and catching coordinator, to help fill the void.
Yankees have decisions to make, but not everywhere
Fortunately, the Yankees aren’t rebuilding their entire coaching staff.
In October, New York agreed to a three-year extension with pitching coach Matt Blake, keeping him in the Bronx through 2029.
That decision made sense.
The Yankees finished 2026 with an MLB-best 3.23 team ERA, while their bullpen ranked second at 3.13. Keeping Blake, along with assistant pitching coaches Preston Claiborne and Desi Druschel, preserves continuity in a department that has consistently delivered.
First-base coach Dan Fiorito and third-base coach Luis Rojas are also expected to return. The futures of assistant hitting coaches Casey Dykes and Jake Hirst remain uncertain.
But the larger question isn’t simply who replaces Ausmus, Rowson and Swanson.
It’s whether the Yankees use these openings to address problems that have followed them through multiple postseasons.
Different rosters, different opponents, yet many of the same mistakes.
And while coaching changes won’t solve everything, Cashman has an opportunity to bring in new voices rather than simply maintaining the status quo.
After watching the same fundamental weaknesses derail another October, that opportunity shouldn’t be wasted.
