For two seasons hitting has been a subject most touchy for the Yankees, and the concern over the disappearing bats a far too common theme. Though their problems were exasperated by losing Robinson Cano to the Seattle Mariners in free agency, the team spent big money on heavy hitters and still lacked a consistent bat in the lineup. Even more troubling was the absence of a 100 RBI player (Brian McCann lead with 75) for the first time since 1992, and a .300 hitter (Ichiro lead with .284) for the first time in a decade. Combine that with back to back missed postseasons and the sky might as well be falling in Bronx, so adjustments had to be made and made they were.
After firing Kevin Long who had been the hitting coach since 2007, the Yankees went on an extended search for who would be the best fit for the job in the post-Jeter era. After interviewing several candidates which included Texas Rangers coach Dave Magadan and former Yankee Chili Davis, they eventually decided to hire former Dodgers hitting instructor Jeff Pentland. However, they did not stop there as the team also elected to bring in Alan Cockrell, who had last been with the Mariners in 2010. This marks the first time ever that the Yankees will have two hitting coaches on the bench, which is a puzzling yet intriguing venture for an organization with such history.
Pentland and Cockrell will have their work cut out for them as the Yankees lineup will look a bit different than years past. There is hope that having multiple coaches can work as an advantage, but it will be up to the production of the players make this unusual strategy successful.
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