Yankees reportedly “seem inclined” to keep Aaron Boone as manager

Rumors have swirled this morning regarding the status of Yankees manager Aaron Boone. ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that owner Hal Steinbrenner “seems inclined to keep Aaron Boone as manager”, though no decision has been made in either direction.

This is far from a sure sign that the Yankees will bring back their skipper, but this is probably the most concrete indication we’ve seen so far of the club’s thinking. Olney’s reporting suggests that Steinbrenner attributes the Yankees’ 2021 disappointments mostly to player underperformance, rather than missteps from the manager.

Boone does not have a contract for the 2022 season and will become a free agent after the World Series concludes, so the Yankees likely need to make a decision on his fate sooner rather than later. The situation appears fluid, but it may find a resolution in the coming weeks.

The most commonly cited name as a potential Boone replacement should one be needed is Astros bench coach Joe Espada. Espada had previously worked as a special assistant to Brian Cashman and as the Yankees third base coach before joining Houston prior to the 2018 season.