The Pirates yesterday named Jeff Cox their third-base coach, completing manager Jim Tracy's staff.

Cox joins bench coach Jim Lett, pitching coach Jim Colborn, hitting coach Jeff Manto, first-base coach John Shelby and bullpen coach Bobby Cuellar on Tracy's support staff.

Lett, Colborn and Shelby accompany Tracy to the Pirates from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

This will be Cox's second stint in the Pirates organization. He managed in the team's minor-league system in 1987-88. Cox, 50, who managed a total of 13 seasons in the minor leagues, most recently was Florida's third base coach (2004-05).

Cox also was a third-base coach for Kansas City in 1995 and for Montreal in 2001.

Cox, who signed with Kansas City in 1973, was a second baseman. He played in 61 major-league games, all with Oakland (1980-81).

Beasley to Yankees

Tony Beasley, who managed successfully in the Pirates' minor-league system for five seasons, has taken a job as a roving minor-league instructor with the New York Yankees.

Beasley's title is defensive coordinator. He'll primarily work with infielders.

"But I'll also keep my eye on the outfielders, working on relays and hitting the cutoff men," Beasley said.

Beasley, who turns 39 Monday, never had a team finish lower than second in his five seasons managing Williamsport (2001), Hickory (2002-03) and Altoona (2004-05). His teams played in the postseason in all five years.

Beasley, who managed in the Arizona Fall League in 2004, had a five-year record of 372-258.

Beasley, who played in the Pirates' minor-league system for seven seasons, interviewed for the Cleveland Indians' first-base coaching job after this season. He also interviewed for the Yankees' Class AAA Columbus managing job, which went to former Cincinnati manager Dave Miley.

"I think this is a good opportunity for me," Beasley said. "I had to think about the difference between managing [at Altoona] and roving. I think I'm going to have to be a big-league coach before I have a chance to manage [in the major leagues]. And there's a possibility of managing [in the Yankee minor-league system]."PIRATES NOTEBOOK