Raul Ibanez Wants To Be New York Yankees Hitting Coach?

The New York Yankees and Raul Ibanez have discussed the team’s vacant hitting coach position, although it’s not clear if New York believes Ibanez is ready to be a coach at the MLB level.

Raul Ibanez wasn’t on the Kansas City Royals playoff roster, but he’s already being contacted by at least one other team — for a coaching job. The New York Daily News is reporting the New York Yankees have discussed the team’s hitting coach position, and although Ibanez,42, hasn’t officially retired yet, he’s interested in the job.

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The Yankees fired longtime hitting coach Kevin Long shortly after the season ended, and had interest in Chili Davis, who ended up joining the Boston Red Sox instead. Long landed a job with the New York Mets, and the Yankees still haven’t found someone they consider suitable for their position, turning down Dave Magadan and being turned down by Eric Hinske.

Ibanez played for the Yankees in 2012, but it’s not clear how much his time in New York factors into his candidacy. Royals manager Ned Yost praised Ibanez’s knowledge and presence in the clubhouse for Kansas City this season, but there’s a large difference between being a respected veteran passing out tips to the youngsters and being a team’s hitting coach, particularly as Ibanez has never been a hitting coach at any level. Given the constant pressure surrounding the Yankees organization, it’s not certain they’d hand the job over to a rookie coach.

The New York Yankees and Raul Ibanez have discussed the team’s vacant hitting coach position, although it’s not clear if New York believes Ibanez is ready to be a coach at the MLB level.

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