Alan Cockrell will be the Yankees’ third hitting coach in as many seasons, following the firings of Kevin Long in 2014 and Jeff Pentland last month.
Cockrell, who served as Pentland’s assistant last season, previously has held the top position with the Rockies (2007-08) and the Mariners (2009-10). Marcus Thames, a former Yankees outfielder who has spent the past three seasons working as an organizational instructor, has been promoted to Joe Girardi’s staff to serve as Cockrell's assistant.
“I don’t think it’s the Yankees; I think it’s baseball, in general. There are no assurances.