What happened: Former Los Angeles Dodgers hitting coach Aaron Bates is among the candidates for the New York Yankees' open hitting coach position, per Jon Heyman. Bates coached hitters in Los Angeles for eight seasons before departing after contract negotiations stalled.

Why it matters: New York enters the offseason seeking to fill its hitting coach vacancy ahead of the 2027 campaign. Bates offers veteran coaching experience from a perennial contender as the Yankees look to shape their offensive staff.

What to watch: The Yankees will continue evaluating candidates to finalize their coaching staff ahead of the 2027 season.