Matt Blake isn’t the only crucial Yankees coach facing a crossroads

The New York Yankees' embarrassing ALDS loss has sparked plenty of calls for change, with most fingers pointed at manager Aaron Boone. Much to plenty of fans' disdain, Boone is under contract for one more season. Other key members of Boone's staff are not, however, including pitching coach Matt Blake and director of catching Tanner Swanson.

Blake can seemingly do no wrong, and the Yankees have every reason to retain him on a new deal. Early reports indicate that the two sides are talking, and that New York is making Blake a priority this offseason. But the Yankees should also take special care to retain Swanson, especially since he might have other suitors lurking.

Yankees coach Tanner Swanson might attract interest from the Seattle Mariners

Swanson is a Washington native, and the Mariners are currently rebuilding their staff after firing manager Dan Wilson and moving on from several coaches (including bench coach Manny Acta). NY Daily News Sports' Gary Phillips wondered in a column on October 13 whether Swanson might "be a fit for a promotion" on the Mariners' new staff, and Phillips isn't the only MLB reporter asking that question.

Swanson, who's been with the Yankees since the 2020 season, doesn't sound like he's itching to leave the Bronx. “I’m definitely not eager to leave,” he said recently, per Phillips. “I love this organization.” But who knows if Swanson would have a change of heart if a bench coach opportunity (or an even larger role) landed on his doorstep in the coming days?

Swanson has developed an excellent reputation around MLB due to his work over the past six years with the Yankees. New York's high-performing pitching staff is a credit to Blake, but Swanson deserves acclaim, too, and he's received it. His efforts with (newly minted Gold Glove finalist!) Austin Wells, in particular, have drawn rave reviews. Wells finished in the top five in both framing and successful ABS challenges this past season. He was also seventh in blocking.

Tanner Swanson developed Austin Wells into a good defensive catcher for Yankees

When Wells was coming up through the Yankees' system, many expected him to move off catcher eventually. But Swanson's excellent development of Wells prevented that from happening. Keep in mind that Swanson also developed other Yankees catchers who became tradeable assets like Jose Trevino, Carlos Narváez, and Ben Rortvedt.

All in all, the Yankees should make it a point to keep Swanson around, especially if Wells is slated to be the starting catcher once again in 2027. There may be some staff turnover (there was after last season's ALDS loss), but Swanson -- like Blake -- should not be involved. Both coaches should stay put if the Yankees are interested in holding onto the strongest elements of their staff.

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