Brian Cashman finally stepped in front of the microphones at the GM Meetings on Tuesday in Las Vegas, and the Yankees still managed to leave the day with more questions than answers.
The biggest one hanging over the staff is the hitting department. The Yankees already moved Aaron Gershenfeld into Tanner Swanson’s spot after Swanson left for a bench coach job in Seattle, but that only opened up more uncertainty with the offseason clock ticking. There are just three weeks before the league’s “no contact” period kicks in, which means any changes to the Yankees’ hitting philosophy - or to the people delivering it - have to happen fast.
Cashman didn’t offer much clarity. He referred to current hitting coach James Rowson as “a free agent,” and he didn’t commit to bringing him back. Gary Phillips of the Daily News characterized the situation as “no decision made” in that area.
Brian Cashman described hitting coach James Rowson as “a free agent” and would not say what the hitting coach group would look like.
- Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) November 10, 2026
At this point, Rowson looks like the likeliest departure, but if that happens, the Yankees will have to fill the job quickly. An internal promotion would make the most sense, though it wouldn’t exactly be a thrilling answer for anyone who watched the 2026 offense.
The rest of the staff appears far more settled. Luis Rojas and Dan Fiorito are expected back as the Yankees’ base coaches, while Preston Claiborne and Desi Druschel are also returning.
Luis Rojas, Dan Fiorito will return as the Yankees’ base coaches. Preston Claiborne and Desi Druschel are back.
- Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) November 10, 2026
That means the Yankees’ coaching group is mostly staying together, even if Rojas remains the most talked-about name in the bunch because of his reputation for aggressiveness at third base. Druschel, who had been poached by the Mets in late 2024 before eventually coming back, is set to re-up, and Claiborne - the former Yankees reliever now serving as bullpen coach - will be back too. Matt Blake’s entire group is in line for another run.
Cashman also offered one notable update on the injury front: Max Fried had the bone spur removed from the elbow that bothered him all summer. The expectation is that he’ll be ready for a normal spring training, though there’s a catch - there may not really be a normal spring training to speak of. Carlos Rodón’s recovery from a similar procedure last winter stretched into the regular season, and Fried’s surgery was framed as a necessary fix after the issue resurfaced.
Cashman, meanwhile, also made it clear he’s not going anywhere anytime soon. He didn’t reveal the length of his new contract, but the message was obvious enough: he’s not a lame duck. Unlike Rowson, Cashman isn’t headed for free agency.
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