KANSAS CITY — On the first day New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone spoke with reporters at the team’s spring training complex in Florida in February, he said the team was hellbent on winning a championship this year. This statement came a little more than four months after a disastrous 2023 season in which the team’s 82-80 record was their worst since 1992.
There’s been much speculation on what another season without a championship or a deep postseason run could mean for Boone’s future as the club’s manager. The Yankees have an option on Boone for 2025 and have not indicated whether they will exercise it. Doing so without a contract extension could make Boone a lame-duck manager heading into next season, but general manager Brian Cashman told a small group of reporters at Kauffman Stadium that he thought Boone has done a “great job” this season.
“We’re certainly happy to have him as our manager, as you all know that,” Cashman said. “I got nothing more to add other than let’s try to find a way to beat Kansas City.”
When directly asked if the outcome of the American League Division Series impacted what the Yankees would decide with Boone’s future, Cashman said it was important for the entire club to advance in the postseason because their ultimate goal is to win a world championship. He stopped short of indicating the result, positive or negative, would dictate one of the club’s biggest decisions this offseason.
“When the winter starts, the winter starts and we’ll deal with the winter when we need to deal with it,” Cashman said. “Hopefully, it’s a lot later than another week.”
Boone’s career .584 winning percentage is the second-highest among all active MLB managers; only Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers has a higher winning percentage at .627. Boone has won three AL East titles in seven seasons as Yankees manager, while his predecessor, Joe Girardi, also won three AL East titles, but in 10 seasons.
The biggest difference between Girardi’s and Boone’s resumes is, of course, the 2009 World Series title won by the former. Boone does have the support of key figures inside the clubhouse, namely Yankees captain Aaron Judge. Embattled left fielder Alex Verdugo, the hero for the Yankees’ Game 1 win over the Kansas City Royals, mentioned how Boone’s support helped give him confidence heading into the postseason.
“If you really want to have a real conversation with him, he’ll do that for you,” Verdugo said of Boone. “If you have anything you want to address or, you know, stop beating around the bush and just go straight to the source, he will always have that conversation with you, to talk to you and let you know what’s going on behind those decisions.”
The Yankees won’t decide on Boone’s future until the season is complete, but at least publicly, he has the backing from multiple parties.
“Great job — the best record in the American League, won the American League East and now we’re trying to win in the postseason,” Cashman said of what he thought of Boone’s year. “We’re trying to find a way all the way to the top.”
(Photo of Aaron Boone before Game 3 of the 2024 ALDS: Ed Zurga / Getty Images)
