In an unprecedented move, New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman dismissed hitting coach Dillon Lawson on Sunday, marking the first midseason coaching change of Cashman's long tenure. The decision followed a loss to the Chicago Cubs and reflects the team's struggles at the plate despite boasting a powerful home run total.

Cashman acknowledged his reluctance to make such changes midseason, emphasizing his belief in collective responsibility. However, he stated that a fresh perspective was needed to unlock the team's offensive potential. He expressed gratitude for Lawson's contributions and predicted a successful future for the former hitting coach.

Lawson, appointed before the 2022 season, oversaw Aaron Judge's record-breaking 62-home run campaign. Yet, the Yankees currently rank near the bottom of the league in batting average, sitting above only the Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics. While leading the league in home runs, their overall run production and on-base percentage are disappointingly low.

Cashman indicated that Casey Dykes and Brad Wilkerson will receive additional training, and the team is expected to hire an external candidate to replace Lawson. This shake-up is particularly notable given Cashman's historical aversion to midseason coaching changes. The last time the Yankees made such a move was back in 1995 when pitching coach Billy Connors was replaced by Nardi Contreras.