LAS VEGAS, NV – The New York Yankees have made a significant organizational change amidst the ongoing General Managers Meetings, officially parting ways with their Director of International Scouting, Donny Rowland.
Rowland, who turns 63 next month, spent 15 seasons in the role and 23 years overall within the Yankees organization. General Manager Brian Cashman confirmed the move, citing the expiration of Rowland’s contract and the need for new direction.
The Reason: Costly Prospect Misses
While Cashman avoided directly naming the “costly prospect misses,” the decision is widely viewed as a direct consequence of the Yankees’ recent poor track record in translating high-bonus international signings into impact Major League players.
- The Main Character’s Tenure: Rowland (the main character in this organizational shake-up) was involved in the signings of high-profile, big-money international free agents who ultimately failed to stick with the club, such as shortstop Alexander Vargas, who was signed for $2.5 million in 2019 and recently released.
- The High-Profile Investment: Even the team’s biggest investment under Rowland’s tenure, Jasson Domínguez ($5.1 million bonus in 2019), had an uneven 2025 season. While he still has upside, his slow offensive development and poor defensive metrics (-10 Outs Above Average in 2025) likely factored into the front office’s decision to seek a change.
- A “Difficult Decision”: GM Brian Cashman addressed the situation during a Zoom news conference, stating: “His contract had expired. I made the difficult decision to look for a different lead voice in that chair.”
The Yankees’ strategy in the international amateur market, which often involves spreading their limited bonus pool money around, has failed to consistently yield big league contributors, leading to the decision to move on from their longest-tenured scout.
The Yankees confirmed they are actively gathering names and will schedule interviews for Rowland’s successor, signaling a major shift in how they intend to approach the global talent market.
The Yankees are clearly committed to making major personnel and strategic changes this offseason. Given the focus on international talent, would you like to review the latest news on the Yankees’ pursuit of Japanese pitching star Tatsuya Imai?
