5 Yankees replacements for Aaron Boone we actually believe could happen

With the New York Yankees regrouping from another fruitless postseason, it's worth wondering if this is the year that Aaron Boone's seat gets so hot that a change must be made. Ironically, the 2026 regular season might go down as the finest job Boone's done since taking the reins in 2018. To finish with a nearly identical record to one one he posted last year, but doing so without Aaron Judge, says something.

We did see some growth from Boone this year. He abandoned the idea that Ben Rice can't hit lefties pretty early on when Rice proved that he can, in fact, hit lefties. Still, there have been some wacky decisions. Starting Gerrit Cole over Carlos Rodón in Game 1 of the ALDS because "reasons" ultimately didn't matter. The fact was the Rays struggle to hit left-handed pitching, but the Yankees struggled to hit pitching of any sort, so it's a moot point.

His lineup decisions recently have been a different story. Then there's the fact that his team was an undisciplined, sloppy mess in Game 2. Some of that is on the players, like Jazz Chisholm Jr., who would continue making the same disastrous throw to first if he had unlimited do-overs. Still, some of that uninspired play is on the skipper and the culture he fosters.

At this point, there's just too much history, and a change of voice is necessary, even if everyone in the locker room enjoys their current voice. The Yankees should be in the market for a new manager this offseason if they know what's good for them. Here's who could be on the short list.

5 Aaron Boone replacements the Yankees should seriously consider

Omar Lopez

Omar Lopez put himself on the managerial map when he managed upstart Team Venezuela to a World Baseball Classic championship, securing the victory over the goliath that was Team USA. Seeing how he could raise the spirits and squeeze every drop of talent out of that team was encouraging.

Lopez's qualifications go beyond that, too. He's been with the Houston Astros since 1999, working as a scout, a minor league manager, and now the big league bench coach. He signed Jose Altuve, oversaw the development of several key pieces of Houston's glory years, and is respected as an excellent communicator. With so many Yankees prospects coming up looking half-baked, he could help put the finishing touches on their development, while also being an excellent leader of men.

George Lombard Sr.

The connection to the Yankees is obvious. George Lombard Sr. is the father of New York's prized 21-year-old shortstop George Lombard Jr. But his case for the job goes deeper than reverse nepotism. Lombard Sr. also worked with Cody Bellinger when Bellinger was with the Dodgers and the elder Lombard was on the coaching staff. He's been on Team USA's WBC coaching staff, too.

In addition to the Dodgers, he's been a part of coaching staffs with the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers, where he currently serves as AJ Hinch's bench coach. Lombard Sr. is well-respected throughout the game and is known for his player development background.

Alex Cora

This would feel weird, but when looking at the field, the surest thing out there is Alex Cora. A long-time Yankees tormentor, would he really be willing to come to New York and lead the Bronx Bombers? Maybe.

After being dismissed by the Red Sox on April 25, Cora watched his replacement, Chad Tracy bungle several decisions, such as his quick hook of Sonny Gray, during the ALWCS as the Yankees dismantled the flawed roster that his former boss-turned-nemesis Craig Breslow put together. An angry and motivated Cora in pinstripes would crank the rivalry with Boston up to 11, and could have a very good ending. Cora will purportedly take the 2027 season off, but ... that aligns with the expiration of Boone's current contract. Food for thought.

Joe Espada

The Houston Astros manager has taken a lot of flak for how things have gone the last two years, but a closer look shows that he likely saved things from being much worse. The Astros missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 in 2025, but Espada essentially got the 2026 Aaron Judge treatment that yar from his superstar, the current presumptive MVP favorite Yordan Álvarez. In addition to Álvarez wallowing on the IL for most of that season, the Astros suffered a comical number of injuries.

2026 was a lot more of the same. The injury bug hit Houston pretty hard, and former Astros general manager Dana Brown saddled Espada with an unserious pitching staff and an aging lineup that was clearly on the decline. Still, the Astros were 12-20 on April 30 and fought back to win the AL West. Espada was a big reason why.

His contract has expired, so he's free for the taking, and he has a ton of Yankees connections. In 2014, he worked as a special advisor to Brian Cashman, before serving as Joe Girardi's third base and infield coach from 2015-2017.

Jorge Posada

This choice would win the hearts and minds of many fans immediately. Jorge Posada is a guy who hates losing even more than he loves winning, and the callback to the dynasty years could be just the kind of message the team needs to receive. The fiery former catcher surely wouldn't tolerate some of the lackadaisical play that we've seen under Boone at times.

Posada has no managerial experience, but that hasn't stopped him from mulling a future in the skipper's chair at some point. This isn't to say that he hasn't been involved in the game since retiring. He worked as a special advisor focusing on player development with the Marlins while Derek Jeter was there. He has also served on former Yankee Francisco Cervelli's coaching staff with Team Italy in the WBC. He might be the most out-of-the-box choice, but it's not impossible.

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