The Yankees, after another early playoff exit in their championship window that busted open back in 2017, will have some decisions to make this winter regarding what it will take to finally put this team and its core over the top.
At the top of that list of decisions will be what to do about a manager.
Aaron Boone’s contract is up at the end of this season, giving the Yankees a window to move on and make a change, should they choose to. General manager Brian Cashman and owner Hal Steinbrenner both praised Boone this season, even during the Yankees’ struggles, but that mindset could change after again falling short of the franchise’s ultimate goal.
But even after a loss where the team looked completely overmatched, Boone’s group stood up for their manager as his future is put into question.
“He's been great,” Brett Gardner said. “Since day one, coming over to the Yankees and just being in control of that room and really taking care of me as a veteran player and always being honest with me and communicating with me and just keeping his door open all the time and that line of communication open. Very thankful for the things that he's taught me and the things that I've learned from him and the way that he's treated me and the rest of my teammates.”
Gardner, the team’s longest tenured player, will also have a decision to make about his future this offseason. He has only played for two managers in his 14 years with the Yankees, but if he were to come back for a 15th, it doesn’t sound like he would want to see someone new in the manager’s office.
“Just thankful for his dedication and time,” Gardner said. “Again, you're talking about a man with a family and several young kids and this is a really, really hard game, and it's the hardest schedule that we have to deal with for eight or nine months straight. You guys know that. The sacrifices that not just him but the rest of that coaching staff has made and the things they have done for me, not just Boonie, but whether it be Reggie Willits with baserunning stuff and outfield stuff or Marcus and PJ in the cage.
“And going through hundreds and hundreds of hours of video trying to help me make one or two adjustments with the height of my hands in the middle of the season, things like that. I'm very appreciative for all they have done, not just me, but my teammates over the course of the season and the past. They have been great.”
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In four seasons with the Yankees, Boone holds a 328-218 record, and in his three full seasons as manager (the 2020 campaign was shortened to 60 games because of the COVID-19 pandemic), he has averaged 98 wins. But the playoffs is when it counts in the eyes of Yankee fans, and Boone hasn’t made it past game six of the ALCS, which could prompt the front office to try something new to get the franchise its first championship since 2009.
But some of the team’s clubhouse leaders would like to see Boone back.
“He’s a great manager, won over 100 games the last few years, his leadership skills keep an even keel throughout the ups and downs,” Aaron Judge said. “When you wear these pinstripes it’s a heavy burden, but a guy like Boonie wears them with pride and keeps us motivated; he shows up every day ready to go and gets on guys when he needs to. It’s ben a pleasure to play with him, I can sit here all night giving you reasons why he’s our guy. He’s a special person and a special coach.”
Those decisions will ultimately come down to Cashman and Steinbrenner, who moved on from Joe Girardi even after he helped bring the Yanks to within one game of the World Series in 2017. That was seen as the beginning of true contention for the Baby Bombers, but under Boone, the team is still searching to get back to the Fall Classic. Another chance for Boone to get there is hardly a certainty.
“As you said, a lot of uncertain, unchartered waters with this team heading into the offseason,” Gardner said. “But even sitting here right now, I love that coaching staff, I love that group of players in that room, and I still believe in them even though the season is over. We'll see what the offseason holds and hopefully we'll have a chance to run it back.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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