Yankees fire Dave Eiland

[jacksonianmarch]

No reason was given for his firing, but performance during the season and in the playoffs was not the reason, per Cashman. It was considered "private." Would have to assume it had to do with his month long absence during which AJ Burnett took a nosedive and the Yankee pitching performance spiralled down. And a sick kid or an accident or something typically hits the news. My guess is it had something to either do with substance abuse or a spousal problem, as those are two reasons for month long absences from work. Regardless, hopefully Eiland gets his life back together and gets a job somewhere. He's a good pitching coach and really seemed to form a relationship with the younger guys.

[a700hitter]

No reason was given for his firing' date=' but performance during the season and in the playoffs was not the reason, per Cashman. It was considered "private." Would have to assume it had to do with his month long absence during which AJ Burnett took a nosedive and the Yankee pitching performance spiralled down. And a sick kid or an accident or something typically hits the news. My guess is it had something to either do with substance abuse or a spousal problem, as those are two reasons for month long absences from work. Regardless, hopefully Eiland gets his life back together and gets a job somewhere. He's a good pitching coach and really seemed to form a relationship with the younger guys.[/quote']Maybe the Sox and Yankees will get into a bidding war for a pitching coach.

[jacksonianmarch]

I doubt it. My guess is that they go internal again with this one. There is a wave of prospects coming through and having worked with them in the minors will be important

[Meh]

Al Leiter, perhaps?

[jacksonianmarch]

During an appearance on Sirius XM's "Mad Dog Radio," Leo Mazzone said he would be interested in being the pitching coach for the Yankees or Mets.

 

Mazzone became one of the most respected pitching coaches in the game during the Braves' run in the 90's and early 2000's. After the 2005 season, he turned down interest from the Yankees to join Sam Perlozzo on the Orioles' staff. Things didn't work out quite as well there, as he dismissed after two seasons. The Yankees and Mets are intriguing possibilities, but in truth, he should be on the short-list for any club in need a pitching coach

 

I would ABSOLUTELY love this move

[yankees228]

Why?

 

He was great for ATL with wider strike zones and pitchers with phenomenal control, but he’s a bad fit for today’s Yankees. I don’t want a pitching coach who doesn’t preach controlling the inner half of the plate.

[jacksonianmarch]

Why? Because controlling SOMETHING is better than controlling nothing. Mazzone preached owning the outside corner of the plate, which is something a good pitcher must do. Take a look at his list of reclamation projects as well.

[yankees228]

Why? Because controlling SOMETHING is better than controlling nothing. Mazzone preached owning the outside corner of the plate' date=' which is something a good pitcher must do. Take a look at his list of reclamation projects as well.[/quote']

 

That worked when umpires used to give pitchers a good foot off the outer edge. He also had three Hall of Fame pitchers to make his resume look much better than it is. As for the reclamation projects, there are a few nice ones, but every long time pitching coach has his share of these.

 

In today's game, where pitchers don't get much off the outer edge, you cannot be successful without controlling the inner third of the plate.

 

Not to mention that he he has been out of a job since 2007, when he failed miserably with the Orioles. Amazing what happened with less talent and a smaller strike zone. Mazzone remains one of the most overrated coaches in baseball history.

[jacksonianmarch]

The Yankees have been granted permission to interview Gil Patterson for the pitching coach job. Gil was in the Yankee system in 2006 and knows some of the guys on the big league roster, although he is definitely not up to speed with the new guys. All I hope for is a guy who can figure out Burnett and can steer the kids to their potential.