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Potential Yankees bench coach pivots if Brad Ausmus leaves for Astros managerial job

The Yankees could be in need of a new bench coach this offseason.
ByPat Ragazzo
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Aug 20, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Are York Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus (65) walks back to the dugout after delivering the lineup to the umpires before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
Aug 20, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Are York Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus (65) walks back to the dugout after delivering the lineup to the umpires before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

New York Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus has been linked to the Houston Astros' managerial job after they parted ways with Joe Espada following the team's early postseason exit. Ausmus was a finalist for the Astros' managerial vacancy in 2020, which ultimately went to Dusty Baker. He also interviewed for their general manager position in the past as well. This time around, Ausmus, a former Astros catcher, could land in Houston as their next skipper.

Ausmus has served as the Yankees' bench coach under manager Aaron Boone for the last three seasons. If the Astros hire Ausmus away from the Yankees, here are four potential bench coach options that can replace him.

Potential bench coach options who could replace Brad Ausmus with Yankees

Jorge Posada

This would be the dream choice for the Yankees: Jorge Posada. He won four World Series championships as the Yankees' starting catcher, and of course was a member of the "Core Four." Several former Yankees have criticized the current culture of the organization, so maybe bringing in one of their ex-World Series-winning players to the coaching staff could help change the mindset of the club.

Unfortunately, Posada went public in an interview this week indicating he doesn't feel welcome around the team and still has uncomfortable feelings about his Yankees exit as a player. Until fences are mended, this dream seems unlikely.

Luis Rojas

Current Yankees third base coach Luis Rojas has managerial experience and could be a solid fit to sit alongside Boone in the dugout as bench coach. Rojas served as manager of the New York Mets from 2020-2021 before joining the Yankees' staff in 2022. Rojas seems like the most realistic internal candidate for the Yankees if Ausmus bolts for Houston. Rojas has also drawn interest as a manager in recent years, interviewing for the Baltimore Orioles' vacancy last offseason.

George Lombard Sr.

If the Yankees were to go outside of the organization for a bench coach, George Lombard Sr. makes sense for them. Lombard has been the Detroit Tiger's bench coach since the 2021 season. His son, George Lombard Jr., is also the young shortstop of the Yankees. They could become a father-son duo in the Bronx if the Yankees can poach Lombard Sr. away from the Tigers. However, it may be complicated to do so, given it would be a lateral move for Lombard.

Shelley Duncan

Should the Yankees promote from within the organization, Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager Shelley Duncan is another name that could be brought up to the major league staff as bench coach. Duncan has served as the RailRiders' skipper since 2023 and won the International League Manager of the Year Award in 2025 after leading the minor league club to 87 wins. Duncan has helped develop young stars such as Ben Rice and Cam Schlittler in the past several seasons as Triple-A manager.

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