3 franchise legends Yankees should hire as manager-in-waiting alongside Aaron Boone

Aaron Boone is locked in for his 10th season as New York Yankees manager, but it'll probably be his last. Boone has delivered consistent regular-season success in the Bronx, but that's not what this franchise is about. Boone's inability to deliver a championship — and the organization's 17-year title drought overall — screams for change in the manager's seat.

But ... who? Many Yankees fans like the idea of installing a franchise icon from the late '90s dynasty -- someone who could remind the club and its players what this team used to be about.

With that in mind, here are three names the Yankees should consider hiring now as a manager-in-waiting — an understudy to Boone in 2027 with the plan to replace him in 2028. One available position for these candidates might be Boone's 2027 bench coach role, with Brad Ausmus officially on the way out after taking the Astros job.

3 franchise legends Yankees should hire as manager-in-waiting under Aaron Boone

Jorge Posada

Posada recently came out and revealed that the current Yankees organization doesn't make him feel welcome. "I don't think they want me there," Posada said.

The former catcher's comments were eye-opening to some, but if the Yankees' upper leadership could work through this muck and fix things with Posada, he'd be a great guy to have in the clubhouse for this exact candor. As a player, he was a fiery leader who demanded a high standard. That's precisely what's missing with the Yankees right now. Then again, Posada would also make a good GM...

CC Sabathia

Not a '90s dynasty figurehead, but a Yankees legend and World Series champion no less. Sabathia's larger-than-life personality can't help but unite a clubhouse. He's known to have instigated the thawing of beef between Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez when they were teammates.

Sabathia has previously served in an advisory role to Brian Cashman, so there's already a relationship there. Sabathia would be a great guy to bring in and inject the Yankees with accountability. He just had his number retired -- bench coach followed by manager feels like a natural progression.

Andy Pettitte

Pettitte's already working for the Yankees as a special assistant to Cashman, so this wouldn't necessarily be a new "hire" -- more of a promotion (to bench coach). When Pettitte took on his current role with the Yanks back in 2023, Boone was thrilled. Pettitte had previously served in an advisory role before taking some time off, and Boone said he "never wanted Andy to leave."

Pettitte mentioned at that time that he could offer the Yankees a "different perspective". But how different could it be, with him and Boone getting on so well? What New York needs is a voice that is wholly unique from Boone's.

Pettitte should definitely be more of a backup plan at manager to the above two names. Also, his son's in the organization as a player, which sort of complicates things. Nonetheless, he definitely has the strength of personality and baseball experience that would positively impact the Yankees' clubhouse.

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