New York Baseball

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As the second half begins, Aaron Boone’s future hangs in the balance
For the Yankees manager to keep his job, he will likely need to find solutions to the Yankees’ growing problems.
By Casey Peterson Jul 17, 2024, 8:30am EDT 4 Comments / 4 New

https://www.pinstripealley.com/2024/7/17/24200065/aaron-boone-yankees-manager-expectations-future

In December 2017, Aaron Boone was officially announced as the 33rd manager in Yankees franchise history. During his introductory press conference, he stated, “I understand what I signed up for, I understand what the expectations are. I hope those expectations are ramped up each and every year. That’s part of it. That’s certainly a part of being here.”

Now in his seventh season, those same expectations hang over the head of a manager yet to fulfill what he was brought here to do: win a World Series.

For Boone, his hope for ramped-up expectations has come true, but for all the wrong reasons. The Yankees have not won a game past the divisional round of the postseason since 2019 and have no pennants to show for under Boone’s leadership. His future as the Yankees manager will now likely come down to 64 games, a fraction of a season to finish out 2024.

Boone is in the final guaranteed year of his contract, with the Yankees still holding a club option for 2025. That’s an easy exit for the organization if things do not go well, so as much as Cashman supports him, Boone feels like the low-hanging fruit if this team does not find its groove again.

Coming off a 2023 campaign in which the Yankees posted their worst record in 31 years en route to missing the playoffs, any lapse this season would be met with scrutiny. After a hot start, the Yankees have played below-.500 baseball in June and July, raising concerns about the roster and the man set to lead them — especially since 2022 featured at least a similar script. I am cautious about how much stock to put into a manager’s impact at this level when a team is underperforming. Still, the numerous mental blunders on the basepaths and in the field leave the door open to question the manager’s ability to have his team ready to play, fair or not.


Maybe the line is hard to define, but at some point, the blame has to fall somewhere. That is why this post-All-Star break becomes so critical for Boone. It is easy to picture the Yankees losing the AL East and faltering in October based on the flaws that continue to present themselves daily with this club. If that happens, It is likely the end for Boone as the manager of the Yankees.

You may be thinking, well why not general manager Brian Cashman too? He’s the one who handed Boone this flawed roster. Well, Cashman’s contract running through 2026 indicates that he is likely not going anywhere, and owner Hal Steinbrenner has remained loyal to him despite the Yankee’s struggles. Cashman being signed could help or hurt Boone’s situation depending on how you look at it. For starters, Boone might be an easier target for the front office to push the blame away on someone whose contract is ending, but it is clear that Cashman believes in Boone. Is that relationship enough to keep the Yankees manager around for another season even if the Yankees fail again in the postseason?

But what if they turn it around and go on to win the AL East? I think a division title muddies the water on Boone’s future. An AL East crown alone is likely enough for him to keep his job, even if the postseason does not go well, as playoff success hasn’t exactly hindered Boone and Cashman’s ability to get new contracts. It comes down to what the Yankees value and continuity seems to trump other flaws, as long as people within the organization (Boone and Cashman) perform at a level good enough in the regular season to cover up their lack of postseason success. Hal tends to stick with his guys, but likely to a fault.

So here is where the Yankees stand, currently out of first place and looking to turn around what has been a dreadful month plus of baseball. Seven years ago, Boone stated that he understood what he signed up for, and that understanding is about to come full circle. If he can’t turn this team around post All-Star break then his failure to meet those New York expectations will end his time as Yankee manager. Sixty-four games will decide his future.