Report: Yankees bringing back manager Aaron Boone for 3 more years
Two weeks after the New York Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs, they ended speculation about the status of their manager, Aaron Boone. According to Jack Curry of YES Network, the Yankees are bringing Boone back.
Aaron Boone is returning as the manager of the Yankees, according to a person who has been briefed on the matter. The Yankees will make an official announcement this morning. #yankees #boone
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) October 19, 2021
In fact, they're doing more than just bringing him back. They're reportedly committing to Boone for at least three more seasons.
Boone will be signing a 3-year contract with an option year to return as manager of the Yankees, according to a person who has been briefed on the matter. #yankees #boone
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) October 19, 2021
Boone, 48, began managing the Yankees in 2018, taking them to the playoffs every single year since. However, under Boone, they've never been able to win the big prize: the World Series. They haven't even made it to the World Series with Boone at the helm, making it to the American League Championship Series just once, in 2019. They lost in the American League Division Series in 2018 and 2020, and in 2021 lost to the Boston Red Sox in the AL wild-card game.
Boone came under fire from fans multiple times during the season for the team's inconsistent play. They spent just one day in first place all season, and finished eight games behind the division champion Tampa Bay Rays, tying the Red Sox with 92 wins. They spent June and parts of July struggling mightily, but then went 21-8 in August, taking them from fourth place in the AL East to second.
Boone's status was up in the air
The Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs on Oct. 5, and even though Boone's contract was up at the end of 2021, they didn't make any moves on his future for two full weeks. In the meantime, GM Brian Cashman and managing partner Hal Steinbrenner made massive changes to the team's coaching staff. They let go hitting coach Marcus Thames, assistant hitting coach P.J. Pilittere, and third-base coach Phil Nevin.
Those changes, as well as additional changes made to the strength, conditioning, and training staff, will reshape the Yankees' preparation and approach in 2022. Despite the coaching and staff shakeup, the front office still wants Boone leading the team every day — though it apparently took them 14 days to make that decision.
One interesting thing about Boone's new contract, which could keep him with the Yankees until 2025: Right now, he's got more job security than Cashman, whose contract runs out after the 2022 season.
Aaron Boone's new contract extends beyond that of General Manager Brian Cashman, who will be in the last year of his current contract in 2022.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) October 19, 2021
The Yankees last won the World Series in 2009, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in six games. Joe Girardi, the man Boone replaced, took them there in his second season as Yankees manager.