Brian Cashman is on the clock.
The New York Yankees general manager needs to make a decision on the future of manager Aaron Boone.
ESPN’s Buster Olney reported Tuesday Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is “inclined” to keep Boone, who has been the team’s manager for the last four seasons.
However, if the Yankees decide to go in a different direction, the club has its eyes on Boone’s successor, according to Olney.
If the Yankees choose to let Boone’s contract expire and pick a new manager, rival officials believe they will consider Astros bench coach Joe Espada, among others. Espada coached for the Yankees before moving to the Astros in 2018.
Want more Yankees coverage? Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text directly with beat writers
Espada, you may remember, was special assistant to Cashman in 2014. From 2015-17, Espada was the Yankees’ third base coach for Joe Girardi.
The Astros hired Espada to be their bench coach before the 2018 season to replace Alex Cora, who had been AJ Hinch’s right-hand man before bolting for the Boston Red Sox.
Espada likely won’t be the only candidate the Yankees consider if they are done with Boone. Three-time American League Manager of the Year Buck Showalter has been linked to the Yankees, as well as openings with the New York Mets and San Diego Padres.
Showalter endeared himself to Yankees fans this season as a studio analyst on YES Network. He managed the Yankees from 1992 to 1995, setting the stage for the late 1990s dynasty. Showalter later managed the Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles. In 20 years as a big-league skipper, he’s won 1,551 games.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.
Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.
Ad Choices