Ex-Yankees Hurler Emerging As Candidate To Become New York's Bench Coach

The New York Yankees reportedly are interviewing an old friend for the club's open bench spot position.

New York recently lost Carlos Mendoza to the New York Mets and now will need to fill the open spot this offseason. The Yankees reportedly will interview former Yankees relief pitcher Andrew Bailey for the club's open bench coach spot, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman. 

"Andrew Bailey was set to interview Monday for the Yankees bench coach position, The Post has learned," Sherman said. "Bailey, a New Jersey native who attended Wagner College in Staten Island, had been the (San Francisco Giants) pitching coach for the past four seasons.

Bailey also has been under consideration for pitching coach roles with the (Boston Red Sox), (Baltimore Orioles), and (Miami Marlins), and turned down an opportunity to be considered by the (Chicago White Sox)."

Bailey has served as the pitching coach for the San Francisco Giants since 2020 but likely will be elsewhere when the 2024 season rolls around. He pitched in the big leagues for eight years and earned two All-Star nods. He spent time with the Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox, Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Angels. 

The 39-year-old recently has been linked to the Red Sox as their next possible pitching coach but it's unclear exactly how likely a signing is. Boston recently hired Bailey's former teammate Craig Breslow as the club's chief baseball officer so that might complicate New York's plans.