Yankees’ Hal Steinbrenner likely wants Aaron Boone back, report says

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner seems like he’s leaning toward keeping Aaron Boone as manager, according to a report from ESPN’s Buster Olney.

From the report:

“He likes [Boone], and I don’t think he blames him for what happened,” one source said.

The Yankees have yet to hold their end-of-season organizational meetings, and it’s unclear whether Steinbrenner has expressed his feelings directly to general manager Brian Cashman, a person with knowledge of the team’s thinking told NJ Advance Media.

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Boone’s contract expires at the end of the World Series. It was a four-year deal, and though Boone’s clubs made the postseason in each year, the team took a big step backward amid huge expectations in 2021.

The 48-year-old Boone was in the option year of his deal following the first three guaranteed years.

Boone has said he’s loved working for the Yankees, and that he feels like he’s had the support of Cashman and the front office.

“Look, all I can say is that i love doing this, I love doing this with this group, I felt incredibly supported from the organization, from ownership, (general manager Brian Cashman) and front office on down,” Boone said after the Yankees’ wild-card loss to the Red Sox last week. “So, whatever happens moving forward, I’ll be at peace with. I’ll walk out of here tonight proud of what a lot of people have done here since I’ve been here. It’s a group and a shared effort and I love going to battle with all these guys, players, coaches, support staff, front office.”

Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Brett Gardner each have advocated for Boone to keep his job.

“Obviously, my contract’s up,” Boone said. “I haven’t had any conversations with anyone about that. So, we’ll see. I love being here. I love going to work with this group and love going to work with this group of players. But we’ll see.”

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Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com.