YANKEES DON'T LOOK FAR FOR THEIR HITTING COACH

No major surprise here.  The Yankees have given Alan Cockrell the hitting coach job after the departure of Jeff Pentland and they have also promoted Marcus Thames to be Cockrell's assistant.

According to George King III from the New York Post:

"...the Yankees announced Monday that Cockrell will move from assistant hitting coach to the top job, and Thames will be elevated from Triple-A to the big leagues.

It’s the second time the Yankees have stayed within to fill a high-profile job. When assistant GM Billy Eppler left to become the Angels general manager, Yankees GM Brian Cashman promoted professional scout Tim Naehring, though he will receive a different title.

The Yankees have been impressed with Thames, who has worked in their minor league system for three years. He was also drawing interest from other big league clubs."

It's a good move, and we'll just have to see if it works for us next season.  I was always a bigger fan of Cockrell than Pentland, but that means nothing in the grand scheme of things.  It's just a personal opinion comparing the 2 coaches.

Many wanted to see former Yankees and former Marlins hitting coach Tino Martinez in that position.  Not right now. I often wonder if the Yankees just don't want to do it because of that confrontation Tino had with Marlins hitters a few years ago when he had that gig. Who really knows. We'll see if he's the guy down the road.  I know I'd like to see him back.

For now, glad to have you Mr. Cockrell. Congrats Mr. Thames... now get to work!




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