Yankees eyeing unexpected former All-Star as Eric Chavez replacement

The New York Yankees intended to enter the 2022 season with a three-man weave replacing the disappointing Marcus Thames, a sentence that DJ LeMahieu feels really bad about.

Just before Christmas, the Bombers though they had it settled, elevating minor-league hitting coordinator Dillon Lawson to bring his “Hit Strikes Hard” mantra to the MLB level and supplementing his efforts with minor-league hitting coach Casey Dykes and former slugging third baseman Eric Chavez.

Unfortunately, Chavez got a promotion with the Mets two weeks later, and the Yankees opted not to prevent him from leaving — even though they totally could’ve, as other teams like the Padres did (so as not to leave their staffs in the lurch too late in the winter).

And look at us now! Stuck in a lockout without a third hitting coach in the Bronx. Seems like San Diego might’ve been onto something.

We heard name after confusing name in the mix at the beginning of January, but things have strangely slowed down on that front as the CBA talks have (grits teeth as much as possible) heated up.

As March approaches, we’re back in action, though! The Yankees are reportedly eyeing former Cincinnati Reds All-Star catcher (one time, baby) Devin Mesoraco for the position, and he’s qualified, even though he’s a name you haven’t thought about in ages.

Yankees considering former catcher Devin Mesoraco as their third hitting coach

First of all … what happened to Mark Trumbo? Didn’t he have this thing locked up, like, a month ago? Weren’t we all parsing his numbers, trying to figure out whether he struck out too much or the exact right amount for this current roster? Wasn’t he heavily sought-after throughout the league?

OK! Onto Devin Mesoraco, we guess!

Mesoraco, who you might remember as part of a one-for-one trade with Matt Harvey, brings two positives to the Yankees’ plate. He’s been an assistant on the Pitt baseball coaching staff since 2020, garnering experience as his MLB career came to a close. He also despises the Mets, and sat out the 2019 season after they kept him off their Opening Day roster, beginning his forays into coaching.

While the Mesoraco speculation is all well and good (he’s still just 33 years old!), the leader in the clubhouse remains 2009 World Champion Eric Hinske, per NJ.com.

And that’s great! But, if that’s the case, why hasn’t he been secured yet? Hinske’s lowering the boom here in exclusive negotiations? He’s bring in high-powered lawyers? He’s faking phone calls from the Phillies?

If you want Hinske, go get him. If not, add a third, untested young coach with recent MLB experience. Apparently, those are the remaining two options after Chavez jolted the system.

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