Yankees make Matt Blake decision for 2027 coaching staff originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Yankees are nearing a contract extension with pitching coach Matt Blake, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman.
Blake's current deal was set to expire at the end of the year. He's been New York's pitching coach since 2020.
Before joining the Yankees, Blake was a minor league pitching coordinator with the Cleveland Guardians.
Despite injuries to Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Max Fried and Ryan Weathers, the Yankees' rotation was one of the best in the Majors in 2026.
New York's pitching staff led MLB with a 3.23 ERA, as relievers Brent Headrick and Paul Blackburn had the best seasons of their career.
"The rotation will look exactly the same in 2027, assuming good health. Weathers will battle Will Warren for the No. 5 starter spot. The bullpen is in flux. Bednar, Blackburn, [Tim] Hill, and Ryan Yarbrough are free agents," Charlie Wright of MLB Trade Rumors wrote.
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"[Fernado] Cruz has a partially torn UCL and his status for next season is uncertain. The Yankees will likely be players in the relief market this winter," he added.
The Yankees have a strong pitching foundation but have fallen short in the postseason mostly due to their offense.
It's unclear if the Yankees will retain the entire coaching staff for 2027, but manager Aaron Boone and Blake will be in the dugout.
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