The Yankees have discussed internally the possibility of hiring veteran hitting coach Jeff Pentland, according to multiple sources. While they have yet to reach out to Pentland to discuss the opening they created upon their Oct. 10 firing of Kevin Long — it’s not clear whether one or two hitting coaches will come aboard — they haven’t ruled him out.
Pentland, 68, said Sunday in a telephone interview he would welcome the opportunity to work with the Yankees.
“It’s a great city and a great organization,” he said.
The Arizona State product has worked as the big-league hitting coach for the Marlins (1996), Cubs (1997-2002), Royals (2003-05), Mariners (2005-08) and Dodgers (2010-11). In 2014, he worked as the Marlins’ hitting coordinator. He is not currently signed with anyone for the 2015 season.
He has extensive connections with the current Yankees: Manager Joe Girardi played under him with the Cubs from 2000 through 2002; pitching coach Larry Rothschild coached alongside him with the Cubs in 2002; special assignment scout Jim Hendry worked in the Cubs’ front office for the entirety of Pentland’s time at Wrigley Field, getting promoted to general manager in 2002; and bench coach Tony Pena served as Pentland’s manager with the Royals from 2003 through the middle of the 2005 season.
James Rowson, who worked as the Yankees’ hitting coordinator in 2014, also is believed to be a candidate for the opening. The Yankees also must hire a first-base coach to replace Mick Kelleher, whom they dismissed the same day they let Long go.