Yankees Rumors: Is Raul Ibanez The Next Yankees Hitting Coach?

Interesting post from NY Post’s George King III about a former Yankee coming back to be the Yankees hitting coach. Raul Ibanez was not on the World Series roster, but after they signed him in June, even if his stats didn’t bear it out, had a bigger impact within the clubhouse. 

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Now King writes that Ibanez could be the guy who replaces Kevin Long. From King’s article:

"Asked last week if he would consider a coaching career, Ibanez said that was more in the future. But he wasn’t asked specifically about the Yankees’ job that opened when Kevin Long, a close friend of Ibanez, was fired after eight years with one season and approximately $700,000 remaining on a contract. Long landed with the Mets.Ibanez is widely respected for his knowledge of hitting and an ability to communicate with players on the subject. However, since he has never been a hitting coach at any level there could be questions about if he can handle the wide variety of chores attached to the hitting coach."

That is a big question for the Yankees. Would they hand the reins over to someone who’s a neophyte at the position, especially after the offense has struggled over the past two seasons.

The Yankees passed on Chili Davis and Dave Magadan and Eric Hinske said no to the position, but all those guys have had some experience at least as an assistant hitting coach.

The St. Louis Cardinals had Mike Matheny replace Tony LaRussa as manager without any experience. Could the Yanks do the same with the hitting coach position?