Red Sox hire former Yankees hitting coach, invites mockery from MLB fans - "lol sabotage at its finest"
In a surprising turn of events, Dillon Lawson, the former big-league hitting coach for the New York Yankees, has found a new home with the Boston Red Sox as their hitting coordinator. Lawson, who was released by the Yankees midseason due to major offensive struggles, expressed his excitement about joining the Red Sox, emphasizing the team’s positive direction.
Lawson’s primary focus in his new role will be working with the upper-level minor leaguers within the Red Sox organization. He brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as the Yankees’ hitting coach from the start of the 2022 season until July 9. This midseason firing marked a significant move by Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman, who praised Lawson’s work but believed a new "voice" was needed in the big-league clubhouse:
"Man had to sacrifice himself to tank the Boston Red Sox organization to make Yankee fans love him again. - Posted one fan.
Dillon Lawson’s hire comes during a time of reshaping the Red Sox’s coaching staff
The Boston Red Sox, under the leadership of chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, have been actively reshaping their coaching staff. Lawson’s hiring follows the additions of major league pitching coach Andrew Bailey and director of pitching Justil Wilard. Breslow continues to leave his mark on the organization, aiming for a well-rounded and experienced coaching team:
"Sabotage at its finest." - Added another fan.
Lawson expressed respect for the Red Sox’s director of hitting development, Jason Ochart, and major league hitting coach Peter Fatse. He also highlighted his familiarity with the assistant hitting coaches, having worked with Ben Rosenthal in the Houston Astros organization and attempting to recruit Luis Ortiz during his time with the New York Yankees.
Despite the challenges Lawson faced with the Yankees, his unique blend of running a department and serving as a major league hitting coach makes him an intriguing addition to the Red Sox. The team sees potential in Lawson’s ability to contribute valuable insights, aligning well with their offensive strategies.
As Lawson steps into his new role, he inherits a talented group of hitting prospects, including the organization’s top three prospects—Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony, and Kyle Teel. The Red Sox look to capitalize on Lawson’s experience to further develop their promising offensive talent and strengthen their overall hitting approach for the upcoming MLB seasons.