Quote:Report: Yankees get permission to talk to Mazzone
ESPN.com news services

The New York Yankees have received permission to speak with Atlanta Braves longtime pitching coach Leo Mazzone, MLB.com reported Monday.

Mazzone, who has been on Atlanta's staff with manager Bobby Cox since June 1990, is considered one of the top pitching coaches in the majors, helping the Braves win 14 consecutive division titles and one World Series title.

According to the report, a source confirmed that the Yankees had asked for and received permission to speak with Mazzone, though it is unclear when the two sides will meet. Mazzone has one year remaining on his contract with the Braves.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, whose contract expires at the end of October, did not return calls seeking comment.

Mel Stottlemyre announced last week that he would not return to Joe Torre's staff next season, saying he was tired of the constant criticism and the division between the New York and Tampa factions of the Yankees organization.

Torre has yet to address the media following New York's American League Division Series loss to the Angels, though he is expected to do so sometime this week.

Mazzone, who turned 57 on Sunday, had a positive impact on Jaret Wright during the pitcher's year-and-a-half stint in Atlanta. Wright endorsed the idea of Mazzone taking over for Stottlemyre last week.

"He helped me out a lot, and he's done that for a lot of years with a lot of guys," Wright told MLB.com. "He's a professional. I think he could do a good job."