The New York Yankees seem inclined to bring back unsigned manager Aaron Boone, according to an ESPN report on Tuesday.
ESPN reports Yankees’ owner Hal Steinbrenner is leaning toward keeping Boone, who currently does not have a contract for the 2022 season.
“He likes (Boone), and I don’t think he blames him for what happened,” a league source told ESPN.
New York is 328-218 and has made the playoffs every year of Boone’s four-year tenure as Yankees’ manager. The Yankees are just 11-11 in the postseason during that time.
The Yankees were eliminated in the American League wild-card game by the Boston Red Sox and haven’t made it past the League Championship Series under Boone.
Steinbrenner has cited player performance as the main reason the team struggled at times this season.
“Obviously, my contract’s up and I haven’t had any conversations with anyone about that,” Boone said after the loss to Boston. “We’ll see. I love being here. I love going to work with this group.”
Boone’s contract would expire within hours of the end of the World Series, meaning that he could become a free agent and could choose to leave if another offer presents itself.
The San Diego Padres fired manager Jayce Tingler last week.
According to ESPN, Astros’ bench coach Joe Espada is a possible replacement candidate should Boone be let go. Espada coached for the Yankees prior to joining the Astros in 2018.
Teams generally do not make personnel announcements during the MLB postseason.
–Field Level Media
