3 ways to find coaching roles for former Yankees if they won't fire Aaron Boone

There is something special about seeing retired players return to their old teams in some capacity. The modern New York Yankees have employed countless players that not only excelled on the field, but won over the fanbase as well. When you see them in the dugout as a coach, you just get this warm and fuzzy nostalgic feeling.

Well, maybe not all of the time. But adding some highly-regarded former Yankees to the coaching staff could be exactly what the franchise needs to regain their spark. 

Yankees manager Aaron Boone certainly endeared himself to fans after hitting his iconic ALCS-clinching home run against the Boston Red Sox in 2003. While he wasn’t a fan-favorite legend for the team, he earned his place in Yankees lore. So when he was hired as the team’s manager in 2017, fans gave him some leeway to prove himself, even if they weren't particularly thrilled with the green hire at the time. 

In the nine years since his hiring, Boone has been a fairly divisive figure. With the team consistently coming up short of clinching another World Series title, many fans are eager to move on and see a different skipper at the helm. But even after the Yankees’ series loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS, Boone’s job appears to remain intact for now.

To help ease the blow of another year with Boone as manager, the Yankees could really shake up the coaching staff and look to capture that warm and fuzzy nostalgic feeling. 

The Yankees have a treasure trove of well-respected former players to help right the ship  

The idea that Boone continues to stick around has become pretty upsetting for some Yankees fans. With sloppy defense and mind-numbingly bad base running becoming the calling card of the ball club in recent years, it has become difficult to overlook the Yankees’ costly flaws.

However, adding some of the team’s most revered former players could help instill the winning Yankees tradition of the past. These are former players that know the game inside and out while also knowing what it means to be a member of the Yankees organization.

Brett Gardner as third base coach

It’s hard to find a Yankees fan that doesn’t have a special place in their heart for Brett Gardner. Although he was named to just one All-Star game during his 14-year career, he certainly showed just how valuable his skillset was during his peak. Besides being a member of the Yankees’ victorious World Series team in 2009, Gardner put up 44.3 bWAR during his career thanks to his strong defense and speed on the base paths. 

Adding Gardner to the Yankees’ coaching staff could be exactly what the team needs to better avoid those backbreaking blunders that always seem to stand in the way of the Yankees and another title. Current third base coach Luis Rojas isn't completely to blame for the Yankees failures, but it is just time for a change. Gardner's name has been thrown around as a dream coaching candidate for years. Maybe it’s still a pipe dream for 2027, but letting Brett bang once again could light a fire under the team.   

Francisco Cervelli as bench coach

As the former Yankees player with the most coaching experience on this short list, Francisco Cervelli has been a name to watch out for since helping the Italy National team to an impressive run in this year’s World Baseball Classic. With +8000 odds to win the tournament, the Italian team wasn’t really expected to have much success. But thanks to Cervelli getting the most out of his young players, the team got all the way to the semifinals, losing to the eventual champion Venezuela. Adding Cervelli to the Yankees' coaching staff can help to potentially bring that same level of excitement as well as give him valuable experience for the future.

Cervelli was also a part of the Yankees World Series team in 2009, earning the catcher his one and only ring with the club. And much like Gardner’s career, Cervelli wasn’t the most decorated player throughout his playing time. He was simply just a good catcher to have on the roster who always seemed to have such an excellent relationship with his pitching staff year in and year out. So not only does he know his stuff, but he’s an incredibly likable guy that earned his place as a fan favorite wherever he played during his 13-year career. That could continue as a bench coach on the Yankees, and if Brad Ausmus is considered for a managerial vacancy - Astros? - this would be a seamless fit.    

Jorge Posada as hitting coach

Speaking of Cervelli, he had a very familiar face on his Italian coaching staff during the team’s run in the WBC. As an assistant hitting coach for Italy, Jorge Posada provided some valuable lessons for players like Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel and Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. While Posada lacks the in-depth experience as a coach in the big leagues, he certainly has the pedigree to know what he’s talking about.    

Was Posada ever going to get into the Hall of Fame? Probably not. But it felt especially cruel for him to fall off of the ballot after just one year in 2017. With four rings and five Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards, the beloved Yankees catcher was a tremendous player over his 17-year career in the Bronx. His .273/.374/.474 career slash line is the kind of performance that leaves quite an impression on younger players. With youngsters like George Lombard Jr. and Spencer Jones on the roster, Posada could make for an excellent mentor and hitting coach on the Yankees.   

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow