Yankees reach out to former NL Central manager about vacant bench coach opening

Nov 12, 2023

The New York Yankees are looking for a bench coach following Carlos Mendoza becoming the new skipper of the New York Mets.

The Yankees approached former Cubs manager David Ross about replacing Mendoza, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Ross declined the Yankees opportunity and that he prefers to manage if he were to immediately jump back into the dugout.

Ross and Aaron Boone have a relationship with one another, both working at ESPN in 2017.

The 46-year-old left the Cubs this offseason after Chicago hired Craig Counsell to become their new manager.

"I think the thing that comes over me is that I am extremely thankful for the opportunity, to be honest," Ross told the Tallahassee Democrat.

"There was a lot of people who worked really hard alongside me. ... I am really thankful for the four years I got, coming from zero coaching experience to getting the chance to manage such a great organization that has impacted my life in a great way. There's great people there. I really don't have a whole lot negative to say, to be honest.

“I get mad from time to time but I have a lot to be thankful for."

Ross joined the Cubs front office in Jan. 2017 and became manager in 2019. In four seasons as skipper, he went 262-284 (.480), the Cubs spent the majority of his time as manager rebuilding. He signed a three-year contract extension in March 2022, the Cubs will be on the hook for his 2024 salary while paying Counsell.

The Bronx Bombers have also narrowed onto three other possible candidates for Boone’s staff. Former Tigers manager Brad Ausmus, former Giants pitching coach Andrew Bailey and Luis Rojas are all options.

Bailey’s contract expired with the Giants, allowing him to speak with other teams. He is expected to land on the East Coast and has also been connected to the Red Sox for their pitching coach opening.

The former closer has experience in the Bronx, pitching for the Yankees in 2015, making 10 appearances in pinstripes. The South Jersey native is also a candidate for the Orioles pitching coach job.