Yanks break off talks with Mazzone
The Yankees will not be hiring Leo Mazzone to replace departed pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, as the club and Mazzone broke off talks on Wednesday afternoon.
"The window for the Yankees to speak with representatives of Leo Mazzone closed today at 5:00 p.m. [ET]," said Yankees spokesperson Jason Zillo. "Both sides agreed to end their discussions without resolution."
Mazzone, who has been the Braves' pitching coach since 1990, is currently in discussions with the Orioles. Baltimore's manager, Sam Perlozzo, is one of Mazzone's best friends.
Todd Thrasher, who represents Mazzone, did not return a phone call.
The Yankees will continue their search for a new pitching coach. The club has some in-house candidates, including bullpen coach Neil Allen, former Yankees left-hander and current spring instructor Ron Guidry and Triple-A Columbus pitching coach Gil Patterson.
Should the Yankees decide to go outside the organization, potential candidates include Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti, who pitched for New York from 1979-90, and White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper.
"There are several guys that are capable," said manager Joe Torre on Tuesday, when asked about Stottlemyre's potential replacement.
The Yankees will also be in the market for a new bench coach, as Joe Girardi accepted the job as the Florida Marlins' new manager on Wednesday.
Hitting coach Don Mattingly will be a candidate to replace Girardi, though Torre said on Tuesday that Mattingly's value as a hitting coach may be greater to the team.
"I think he's going to be an outstanding manager when he decides to do that and the opportunity comes to him," Torre said. "It's not that you couldn't replace him, but he does such a good job and he's got so much trust with the players. He seems to really enjoy it, and I'd hate to lose that part of it."
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