Yankees reportedly leaning toward keeping Aaron Boone means nothing will change
![PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 12: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees in the dugout during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 12, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 12: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees in the dugout during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 12, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fyanksgoyard-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2021-2F09-2F1323279093-850x560-7dd3902ee6563d15ac78cc2946e20652.jpg)
Donât say we didnât warn you! The New York Yankees, before anything else, love to see their plans unfold. They donât want to be bothered with necessary changes that seem to be essential in turning things around.
There were many problems with the 2021 roster. But, on top of the bad play, the responsibility also fell on the front office (for putting these pieces together) and the manager (for seemingly being unable to motivate a group of All-Stars past the AL Wild Card Game).
The Yankees were eliminated by the Boston Red Sox a week ago. The Sox, swiftly, eliminated the Tampa Bay Rays and moved onto the ALCS. Weâve yet to hear a word from the Bombers regarding any offseason plans.
But weâve gotten some hints, at least in regard to Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone. Unfortunately, the vast majority of fans arenât going to like what they hear.
Michael Kay and Buster Olney talked about why itâs more than likely Cashman returns. Thatâs no surprise. Then Yankees insider Bryan Hoch said he expected Boone to return in 2022.
Now, ESPN and Buster Olney are saying the same thing about Boone, who the Yankees are reportedly âleaning towardâ retaining for next season.
Sources: Yankees leaning toward keeping Boone https://t.co/zkpe1vvd4A #Yankees pic.twitter.com/QATSdhk6iG
â ESPN New York (@ESPNNewYork) October 12, 2021
The Yankees reportedly leaning toward keeping Aaron Boone means one thing âŠ
Hereâs the latest from ESPN and Olney:
"âThough the wait continues within the Yankeesâ organization for owner Hal Steinbrenner to dictate the direction of the team in a fluid situation, he seems inclined to keep Aaron Boone as manager, industry sources told ESPNâs Buster Olney.âââHe likes [Boone], and I donât think he blames him for what happened,â one source said.â"
The Yankees seemingly went from a cutthroat owner in George Steinbrenner to feeling bad about letting people go because they âlikeâ them. While owner Hal Steinbrenner does have a pertinent point about player performance, thatâs hardly the beginning and end of the Yankeesâ problems.
Baseball is about putting players in the best position to succeed and understanding each individualâs strengths and weaknesses. Boone seems to lack that paramount trait with his bullpen management and lineup cards (on both offense and defense).
Do the Yankees need a new manager or do they just need a more effective version of Aaron Boone? Thereâs a lot for the organization to consider as they prepare their plans for next season and beyond. https://t.co/50VH7paKOc
â Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) October 11, 2021
Most importantly, however, is the voice echoing through the clubhouse. Is Booneâs presence assertive? Influential? Demanding? It really seems like it isnât, at least based on the countless postgame press conferences where he refused to hold anybody accountable and the fact that good production doesnât get rewarded while mediocre/poor production maintains its favorable standing (just look at how every Gleyber Torres hustle incident and defensive blunder was handled).
Perhaps the most notable aspect of Boone likely returning, however, is the fact that not much is going to change with this team. Once again, their philosophy of âwe canât let this person go only to watch them succeed elsewhereâ takes centerstage. The Yankeesâ organizational ego canât possibly witness one decision backfire unless itâs all occurring right under their nose. âBut what if Boone leaves for the Padres and does well?! Then what will we do?!â
Additionally, as for the roster, all this tells us is that there will be minimal changes. If youâre re-signing Boone, the most logical outcome is running this same roster back in 2022 before the true overarching changes are required (the Yankees will have more 10 players hitting free agency next offseason). Because, once again, the organization believes in its methodology and wants to see it through.
That much has to be true if theyâre bringing back the manager who has failed time and time again on the biggest stage against the teamâs chief rivals.