The Yankees’ coaching shuffle has created a real headache for the Red Sox, because Andrew Bailey suddenly looks like a name to watch in the Bronx again.
Houston is hiring Brad Ausmus as its next manager, which means New York needs a new bench coach. That vacancy matters in Boston because Bailey, the Red Sox pitching coach, was a candidate for that same Yankees job in 2023 before losing out to Ausmus. Now that Ausmus is leaving for the Astros, Bailey is back in the mix for one of the most prominent coaching openings in baseball.
Other possible replacements for Ausmus include former Reds manager David Bell, former Astros manager Joe Espada, and former Cubs manager David Ross. Chelsea Janes also noted on November 11, 2026: “Names that could make sense as Yankees look for a bench coach to replace Ausmus:
David Bell (just stepped down from Jays front office, some believe to facilitate return to dugout)
Andrew Bailey (who interviewed with them in the past)”
For Boston, the concern is obvious. Bailey has been one of Craig Breslow’s best early moves since taking over as president of baseball operations, and his work has only strengthened that case. He came to the Red Sox after making a strong impression with the Giants as their pitching coach, and the results in Boston have been hard to ignore.
Since Bailey arrived, the Red Sox rank fifth in ERA at 3.77, fourth in FIP at 3.91, and third in pitcher fWAR at 56.3. He’s also helped young arms like Payton Tolle and Brayan Bello move closer to big-league relevance, while playing a major role in Garrett Crochet’s rise from All-Star starter to Cy Young finalist.
The Yankees have plenty of pitching success of their own over that same stretch, ranking in the top 10 in those same categories over the past three years. Even so, their interest in Bailey makes sense. They already showed they value him when they pursued him in 2023, and that history suggests they know exactly what he brings.
If Bailey does get the call, it would be a tough loss for the Red Sox. But it would also be hard to fault him for taking a bench coach promotion that could be his next step toward managing someday. And in New York, he’d be walking into a staff that has shown plenty of turnover, even after surviving the Alex Cora-led purge earlier in 2026.
In Other News...
Red Sox Offseason Plan May Depend On One Lineup-Changing Decision
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What makes the pursuit more complicated is the ripple effect it could have on the roster. Boston is considering whether adding Suzuki would mean moving Jarren Duran, a decision that would reshape the outfield and alter the way the club builds around its everyday lineup. Suzukis age also adds another layer to the conversation, since the Red Sox have to decide how far they want to go on the length of a deal before the market forces their hand. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Offseason Shift Raises One Big Question About Bostons Priorities
The Red Sox appear to be taking a different tack this offseason, with reports indicating they are not in the market for free agent pitchers Tarik Skubal or Freddy Peralta. Given the state of Bostons rotation, that stance makes some sense on paper. The staff is viewed as a strength, and the front office seems more inclined to spend its energy on the other side of the ball, where the lineup could use more impact.
Shifting resources toward offense would fit the way the roster is currently built, but it also leaves one obvious question hanging over the winter: how aggressive will Boston be if the pitching market starts to move in a different direction? Analysts have floated names such as Shane Bieber and Nick Martinez as possible alternatives, which suggests the Red Sox are still keeping tabs on the mound without making it their priority. The bigger issue now is whether that measured approach is a sign of confidence in the rotation or a bet that the lineup needs the heavier lift. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Are Being Linked To Another Catcher For One Big Reason
Bostons catching picture already looks pretty clear on paper, with Adley Rutschman expected to handle the bulk of the work and Connor Wong or Riley Adams available behind him. Even so, there is a growing sense around the club that the Red Sox could still add another backstop, which speaks to how much teams value depth at a position that can wear down quickly over a long season.
Some insiders have pointed to Ryan Jeffers as a possible fit, but the appeal is not quite as simple as it first sounds. Any pursuit of a catcher in that tier comes with a real cost, and for Boston the question is whether that price makes sense when there may be more practical backup options available on the market. [Read more 🡒]