CLEVELAND _ As the regular season was coming to an end, Larry Rothschild said his desire was to return to the Yankees in 2017, and shortly after the season ended, general manager Brian Cashman indicated the feeling was mutual.
So it was no surprise when the club announced on Friday that the veteran pitching coach, whose three-year contract was set to expire at the end of this month, has signed a one-year deal for next season.
Though the one-year deal might prompt some to raise their eyebrows about Rothschild's ultimate job security, the contract makes sense. Cashman and manager Joe Girardi each will be in the final year of his deal.
Rothschild is entering his seventh season as Yankees pitching coach and his 43rd year in pro ball as a player, coach or manager.
The Yankees brought in Rothschild before the 2011 season to replace Dave Eiland, who was let go after the 2010 season. Eiland currently is the Royals' pitching coach.
The Yankees pitching staff set a franchise single-season record in 2016 with 1,393 strikeouts. Additionally, according to the club, the Yankees lead the American League with a 2.94 strikeout-to-walk ratio in the six years of Rothschild's tenure.
