Ron Antonelli/New York Daily News
Kevin Long (c.), the Yankees hitting coach since 2007, could be a candidate for the vacancy on Don Mattingly’s Dodgers coaching staff.
BOSTON — As they work through their organizational meetings in the Bronx, the Yankees may see their coaching staff impacted by a move 3,000 miles across the country.
The Dodgers reportedly fired bench coach Trey Hillman on Tuesday, a move which could lead to even more tension than already exists between Los Angeles and its manager, Don Mattingly.
Mattingly told reporters this week that his option for 2014 vested when the Dodgers reached the NLCS this month, but the former Yankee great indicted that he wants a multi-year deal, not wanting to go through another season as a lame-duck leader.
How does this impact the Yankees?
A source said that Kevin Long, the Bombers’ hitting coach since 2007, could be a candidate to join Mattingly’s coaching staff if he gets an extension with the Dodgers, or possibly elsewhere should Mattingly leave L.A. and land a managerial job elsewhere.
Long and Mattingly became close during their one season together on Joe Torre’s staff in 2007, as Mattingly moved from hitting coach to bench coach, opening the hitting coach job for Long.
Nick Ut/AP
Don Mattingly is seeking a multi-year extension from the Dodgers.
General manager Brian Cashman said earlier this month that he hoped to retain Joe Girardi’s entire coaching staff, though no announcements have been made regarding any of the six.
According to a source, Cashman had reached out last week to Long and the other coaches. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild appeared to be close to a new deal, though no deal had been struck with Long. Mike Harkey, Girardi’s closest confidant, is expected to return as the bullpen coach.
All of the Yankees’ coaches are under contract through the end of the month.
Hillman’s dismissal in L.A. could also be intriguing for the Yankees, who have a history with the former Royals manager. Hillman managed in the Yankees’ farm system between 1990-2001.
While the Yankees work to bring back the coaches, a source said the club informed strength coach Dana Cavalea last week that he would not be brought back next season. Cavalea has been with the team since 2007, when he was promoted from assistant strength coach to the main job following the firing of Marty Miller.
Earlier this month, the Yankees cut ties with Charlie Wonsowicz, who had worked for the club for 21 years, most recently as an advance scout and video coordinator.
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