The Yankees made their first signing of the winter yesterday.
It was not one of the high-priced free agents they’re trying to lock up, but it was an important signing. They gave Larry Rothschild a three-year deal to be their new pitching coach, replacing Dave Eiland.
Rothschild comes to the Yankees after nine seasons in the same position with the Cubs. The 56-year-old was planning on returning to Chicago next year to be part of new manager Mike Quade’s staff, but then the Yankees called.
“It’s unique because it is the Yankees, and everybody knows what that means,” Rothschild said. “It doesn’t come along every day. It makes you think long and hard about it.”
Rothschild lives just a few miles away from Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees’ spring training home in Tampa, Fla. Being able to spend a few more months at home with his family was a large factor in his decision to leave Chicago for The Bronx.
“It’s got less to do with leaving the Cubs than it does more to do with the opportunity to be with the family and also with the Yankees,” said Rothschild, who managed the Devil Rays from 1997-2001.
The Yankees interviewed Rothschild on Nov. 9 and 10, giving him hours of film to study of pitchers A.J. Burnett, CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes and then quizzing him on what he saw. Rothschild beat out bullpen coach Mike Harkey, Triple-A pitching coach Scott Aldred and Gil Patterson, who had been with the Athletics.
The other three candidates’ names all surfaced, but Rothschild’s interest in the job was kept a secret.
His biggest challenge might be figuring out Burnett. The Yankees lost confidence in the erratic starter to the point where he was not given a start in the ALDS.
“I watched tape of him in two different games, and I haven’t had a chance to analyze completely as far as A.J. is concerned,” Rothschild said. “I know he’s a huge part of the staff, and it would be nice to get things turned around for him and get him going. I’m sure he feels that way. The first thing I’ll do is have conversations with him as far as where he is.
“I think he can be a very effective Major League pitcher, and I think he has been in his career.”
Rothschild said his first priority will be to reach out to the Yankees pitchers, and then possibly make trips to work with them if they won’t be in Tampa this winter.
Rothschild has served on the staff of two World Series winners with the 1990 Reds and the 1997 Marlins.
Manager Joe Girardi was a player with the Cubs during Rothschild’s first year there.
“Larry brings a wealth of invaluable experience to our team and to our pitching staff,” Girardi said in a statement. “He’s a championship pitching coach, and I’m excited to add Larry’s abilities to our staff. He is above all else an excellent teacher, who brings a professional attitude and a keen sense of preparation to his craft. I’m very much looking forward to working with him moving forward.”