Aaron Boone's future destination if Yankees ever move on seems increasingly obvious

If the New York Yankees didn't move on from Aaron Boone after the 2022 season, when a ridiculous start to the season ended in despair and motivational 2004 Red Sox highlights, it's hard to believe they ever will.

At least, not as long as Brian Cashman is in charge above him.

If things ever deteriorate past the point of no return, though, and Cashman's been elevated to "decision maker emeritus" or some other variety of made-up title, it does seem increasingly obvious that there's a pretty solid follow-up fit for Boone on the open market.

During his appearance on Talkin' Yanks Tuesday following the Yankees' 5-1 win in Anaheim, Boone got a bit of a twinkle in his eye when asked about Yankee fans' ridiculous presence on the road at Angel Stadium. Famously, their takeover once resulted in a curtain call for Didi Gregorius in someone else's ballpark, a fate we would only wish on the Boston Red Sox.

Boone went beyond the initial question, though, gushing about the location and atmosphere. "We've had some fun games here. This is just a neat stadium to play in. It's kind of a little bit of a homecoming for me, so I have some friends always in the stands. I love the dugout and the view. And usually, those Yankee fans, you can hear 'em."

Yankees manager Aaron Boone has a special reverence for Angels homecoming

Obviously, his preference is to remain in charge of the road wrecking crew, but ... if push ever came to shove ... and given the Angels' propensity for fallen star-chasing (Joe Maddon, Ron Washington) ... would anyone really be surprised if they ended up being Boone's soft place to land?

Hell, they even hired old friend Phil Nevin after the Yankees let him go. Maybe they'd even let Boone get the band back together.

Boone, born in Villa Park in California's Orange County, watched his dad play for the Angels from 1982 through 1988. He was also selected by the then-California Angels out of high school with a sham pick; everyone knew he was headed to USC, but the local franchise still wanted to make their intentions known.

That rubber-stamping hasn't paid off in the ensuing three decades, but there's still time on the clock. If the Yankees and Boone ever face a "mutual parting of the ways," don't be surprised if the Angels offer a pillow. And don't be surprised if Boone gladly accepts.