New York Yankees hitting coach Marcus Thames is out after four years on the job.
Lindsey Adler of The Athletic is reporting the New York Yankees will not bring back hitting coach Marcus Thames for the 2022 season. Adler later added the Yankees would also part ways with third base coach Phil Nevin.
News: Yankees have informed hitting coach Marcus Thames that his contract will not be renewed for the 2022 season.
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) October 14, 2021
News: Yankees have also informed third base coach Phil Nevin that his contract will not be renewed for the 2022 season.
— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) October 14, 2021
Thames had served in his role for four seasons, but the Yankees’ offense took a significant step back in 2021. They ranked 23rd in MLB in hitting just .237 as a team, and New York ranked 19th in runs scored despite being sixth in home runs. The Yankees made the playoffs, but only thanks to clinching a Wild Card spot on the last day of the season. The bats, as they had been most of the season, were borderline silent in the AL Wild Card Game loss to Boston.
As for Nevin, his firing is a little more of a shock. He and manager Aaron Boone have been friends for decades, but the Yankees also made 50 outs on the bases in 2021. Nevin’s decision-making was put further under the microscope after the AL Wild Card Game. After Giancarlo Stanton’s double just missed being a home run, Aaron Judge was thrown out at home and the Yankees still trailed 3-1 rather than 3-2. They lost 6-2.
Now, Nevin could become a strong contender for the San Diego Padres manager’s job, as he spent over six years playing for them.
The Yankees have also not yet made a decision on mBoone’s future, but firing two coaches means the front office is ready for change. Stay tuned to ESNY for more updates.
