The New York Yankees could see another member of their coaching staff depart this offseason, as hitting coach James Rowson is reportedly a finalist for the Minnesota Twins’ managerial job.
Dan Hayes and Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic were first to report Rowson’s progress for the AL Central club’s opening. They added that Chicago Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty, former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton, and ex-Seattle Mariners skipper Scott Servais are also in the running.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has already parted ways with first-base coach Travis Chapman, bullpen coach Mike Harkey, and assistant hitting coach Pat Roessler after another disappointing season. The Bronx Bombers’ World Series aspirations fell woefully short, as they were ushered out of the ALDS in four games by the eventual pennant-winning Toronto Blue Jays.
Rowson is familiar with the Twins organization, having previously worked as their hitting coach from 2017 to 2019 before joining the Miami Marlins as a bench coach.
Following one more stop in Detroit as an assistant hitting coach with the Tigers, he joined the Yankees as hitting coach in 2023, where he has overseen one of the top offenses in baseball.
Rowson cut his teeth in pro ball’s coaching ranks by spending six seasons with the Yankees as their minor-league hitting coordinator. He jumped to the Chicago Cubs in 2012 before returning to the Bronx in 2013.
