The Houston Astros are hiring a new manager. The New York Yankees are losing a bench coach. With Wednesday's news of Brad Ausmus leaving the Yankees for the Astros, New York is set to begin its search to find a replacement.
Of course, the news didn't take the Yankees by surprise. General manager Brian Cashman even confirmed Ausmus' status as a candidate for the Astros' manager job on Tuesday.
MLB insider Chelsea Janes of SNY revealed two potential candidates who could replace Ausmus in New York as the bench coach alongside manager Aaron Boone.
“Names that could make sense as Yankees look for a bench coach to replace Ausmus: David Bell (just stepped down from Jays front office, some believe to facilitate return to dugout),” Janes wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Andrew Bailey (who interviewed with them in the past).”
Bell and Bailey could make sense. The Yankees will likely consider a number of candidates before making their final decision.
Article Continues BelowThe role of the bench coach cannot be overlooked. It serves as an important job alongside the manager. The manager has more responsibility and receives more praise and blame, but teams understand that the bench coach helps to keep things in order.
Ausmus has managing experience, but he seemingly did a respectable job in the bench coach role with the Yankees. Now, he is set to return to a manager role in Houston. He's found success in the past, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Ausmus' Astros play Boone's Yankees in a future postseason series.

