Yankees News: New York adds prospect to 40-man roster, hitting coach, David Ross

Well, this offseason certainly crashed through the wall like the Kool-Aid Man, didn't it? Except for, instead of providing drips of red sugar water and loose bricks, it brought managerial change.

But none for the Yankees! Hal Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman will both speak (separately) on Tuesday at the GM Meetings, and even though Aaron Boone won't be talking, that apparently isn't an indictment on his job security. He's still "their guy," words that seem to mean more to the Yankees than certain other franchises.

The Yankees got their offseason started last week not with a front office shuffle or change in the dugout, but by jettisoning six players, all of whom factored in the 2023 debacle in one way or another. Domingo Germán, Jimmy Cordero, Matt Bowman, Billy McKinney, Franchy Cordero and (the injured) Ryan Weber were all outrighted, and all elected free agency instead of a minor-league assignment on Monday. They were quickly replaced by -- so far -- just one prospect on the 40-man roster.

Yankees 40-Man Roster: Welcome Carlos Narvaez!

This will not be the Yankees' final prospect added for protection purposes.

The team has until Nov. 14 to protect additional names from the Rule 5 Draft, and will clear further 40-man spots by non-tendering several candidates before Nov. 17, from Kyle Higashioka to Jonathan Loaisiga.

Other intriguing prospects who need protecting include Narvaez's fellow catcher Agustin Ramirez, who sports Gary Sánchez-esque exit velocities, as well as Andrés Chaparro (who wasn't protected last year), Jared Serna, Mitch Spence and Edgar Barclay. Clayton Beeter should be a shoo-in.

Narvaez starred after being given the opportunity to contribute last spring training, then hit 12 homers with a .767 OPS this past season, mostly at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

For those counting, that's five catchers on the 40-man, with a sixth in Ramirez likely following soon. That ... will not last.

MLB News: David Ross available after shocking Cubs dismissal

Looking for a bench coach? If you prefer to fill your consigliere coaching roles with Aaron Boone's friends, then why not former backup catcher David Ross, who's suddenly out of a job?

Both Ross and Boone were ESPN color analysts during the 2017 season, and each man went on to bigger and better things in big-league managerial roles (Boone in 2018, Ross in 2020).

Now, with a vacancy by Boone's side, Ross is stunningly available, shucked aside by the Cubs in favor of a five-year, $40 million deal with Craig Counsell, inked in secret on Monday morning. Ross had received plenty of assurances that he would remain in the Cubs' dugout, even after the team's surprising collapse out of a Wild Card spot down the stretch run in 2023.

Instead, the Cubs made basically the only move that could justify shattering the locker room and handing Ross his surprise walking papers. Now, the Yankees stand to gain. Or, perhaps, the Red Sox could use a 2013 World Champion by Alex Cora's side, under his old teammate Craig Breslow's watch in the front office? Yeah, finding an alternate role for Rojas and moving Ross into the Yankees' dugout quickly feels wise.

And, oh, would you look at that? Buzz from Day 1 of the GM Meetings claims Boone and Ross have a good relationship. Ball's in Ross' court -- but, regardless, it seems like the Yankees will move slowly here and look externally.

Other candidates with zip include Joe Espada (posited by Chris Kirschner), Willie Randolph and Carlos Beltrán.