Report: Yankees to hire Jeff Pentland as hitting coach

The New York Yankees have reportedly decided on Jeff Pentland as hitting coach after a three-month search, according to Yankees broadcaster Jack Curry.

The Yankees are also bringing on Alan Cockrell as an assistant to Pentland, said Curry.

Pentland, who has been a hitting coach in the majors for almost two decades with five different organizations, will replace Kevin Long who was fired back in October. Pentland is very familiar with the current Yankees coaching staff, having coached Joe Girardi, Larry Rothschild and previously served with Tony Pena.

Cockrell previously served as the hitting coach for the 2010 Seattle Mariners and 2007 Colorado Rockies. The Rockies went to the World Series that year under his guidance.

Chili Davis, Dave Magadan, Eric Hinske, Raul Ibanez and Willie Randolph were also candidates for the job.