MLB
Mike Harkey had originally joined the New York organization in 2008 before returning in 2016. Darren Yamashita / USA Today
After a disappointing finish to their season, the New York Yankees are making a few changes to their coaching staff.
The Yankees are not bringing back longtime bullpen coach Mike Harkey and first-base coach Travis Chapman, a team source confirmed to The Athletic. SNY was first to report the news.
Harkey had been the Yankees’ longest tenured coach and was a favorite among the players for his gregarious personality. He had two stints with New York, first joining the organization in 2008 as its bullpen coach and departing in 2013. He rejoined the Yankees in 2016 and stayed in his role despite the managerial change from Joe Girardi to Aaron Boone.
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The bullpen struggled this season, and it was one of the weakest parts of the club. The Yankees finished the 2025 season with the 23rd-best bullpen ERA. A usual strength for the Yankees, several key members of the group, such as Devin Williams and Luke Weaver, regressed this season.
Chapman held numerous roles in the Yankees’ organization, from being a minor-league defensive assistant coach to managing the Dominican Summer League’s team in 2017 to managing the Charleston RiverDogs. Chapman joined the major-league staff in 2022 and was the club’s first-base coach, in addition to being its infield coach. Internally, Chapman was lauded for his ability to pick up tells from opposing pitchers and relay that information to batters.
Chapman’s main responsibility was handling the defense for the infield. The Yankees’ infield finished 16th in outs above average this season, with shortstop Anthony Volpe going from being a Gold Glove finalist last season to being one of the worst defenders at his position in 2025.
More changes could come to the Yankees’ coaching staff. Pitching coach Matt Blake and catching coordinator Tanner Swanson have club options, and bench coach Brad Ausmus’ and third-base coach Luis Rojas’ contracts expired.
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Chris Kirschner is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the New York Yankees. He previously covered the Atlanta Hawks from 2018-2022 for The Athletic. Chris was named Georgia’s Sportswriter of the Year in 2021 for his work covering the Hawks. Chris is a native of Bronx, NY. Follow Chris on Twitter @chriskirschner
Yankees make 2 coaching changes to Aaron Boone’s staff: Source – The New York Times
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