After a 103-win season, the Yankees dismissed their longtime pitching coach, Larry Rothschild. The team announced the move on Monday, simply saying that Rothschild was not returning for the 2020 season. He had a year remaining on his contract.
Rothschild, 65, a former Tampa Bay manager and Chicago Cubs pitching coach, had been the Yankees’ pitching coach since 2011. During his tenure, the Yankees led the American League in wins (826) and strikeouts (12,634). In 2019, he oversaw a pitching staff that was strong in the bullpen, lighter in the starting rotation and slowed by injuries. It finished 14th in the major leagues with a 4.31 earned run average.
Although the Yankees did not provide a reason for Rothschild’s dismissal, the modern demands of a pitching coach involve an increasing incorporation of analytics and biomechanics. Rothschild used some, but now the Yankees can seek a new voice for their pitchers more in their desired image.
The Yankees have tried to improve their development of pitchers; in June, they hired Sam Briend from Driveline Baseball, a data-driven baseball program in Washington State, to a newly created position of director of pitching in the minor leagues.
“Larry cares deeply about his craft and the pitchers under his tutelage, and he played a significant role in our successes over the past nine seasons,” General Manager Brian Cashman said in a team-issued statement. “There’s a reason why Larry has had the type of distinguished baseball career he’s had, and it starts with experience and dedication that is difficult to emulate.”
Rothschild could find a landing spot soon. Seven of his nine years as the Yankees’ pitching coach were under Joe Girardi, who was introduced as the new manager of the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.
“I’m truly grateful that I had someone as established and loyal as Larry as I made my transition to the dugout,” Manager Aaron Boone said in a team-issued statement. “Seeing him work day after day, I have a deep appreciation for how devoted he was to his craft and how tirelessly he dove into his responsibilities.”