Yankees might've just promoted Aaron Boone's eventual replacement at manager

At the conclusion of another disappointing campaign, the New York Yankees, once again, decided to revamp Aaron Boone's coaching staff for whatever reason. It didn't work the two other times, but third time's the charm, we guess.

First base coach Travis Chapman, who Boone berated in the dugout during a loss to the Marlins in early August, was dismissed, as was bullpen coach Mike Harkey, who had been with the organization for the last decade (in addition to a stint from 2008-2013), among other smaller moves.

It's unclear if they've replaced Harkey with the return of Desi Dreschel, so we'll have to wait for further confirmation on the somewhat revamped coaching staff, but what we do know is that they just found someone to take over for Chapman.

Dan Fiorito, who is the organization's infield/outfield coordinator, will take over as first base coach and "is expected to double as the Yankees' infield coach," per Greg Joyce of the New York Post.

Fiorito also served as the Double-A Manager of the Somerset Patriots, who he guided to a championship run back in 2022. He was named Eastern League manager of the Year in 2022 as well. That came the year after he was promoted from his position as High-A Hudson Valley manager.

Is this ... Aaron Boone's eventual replacement!? Boone's contract is set to expire after 2027, which provides enough time for the organization to evaluate Fiorito.

Yankees elevate experienced minor-league manager Dan Fiorito to MLB level

It's quite possible, especially after the Yankees also elevated Jake Hirst to assistant hitting coach earlier this offseason. The former minor league hitting coordinator worked alongside Fiorito at Double-A Somerset when the Patriots saw significant success from prospects Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells, Elijah Dunham, Andres Chaparro, Everson Pereira and Mickey Gasper. The duo of Fiorito and Hirst did their job — but the common theme has been the Yankees being unable to elevate their most promising talents past Double-A or Triple-A.

Additionally, the Yankees have been working to improve their fundamentals — something that may have been a weakness of Chapman's, given all the problems they had with their infield defense and baserunning over the last few years. Maybe they didn't have the right personnel. Could've been a combination of both.

But the successful track record Fiorito brings with him, coupled with the fact that the Yankees like to keep things "within the family" when the time comes, has our brain looking ahead to when Boone's tenure is over. Sure, they could chase a higher-profile candidate, but Carlos Mendoza was believed to be the manager-in-waiting before he departed for the Mets.

The Yankees have gotten less and less flashy over the years, and this can be their next under-the-radar move if Fiorito improves the big league club.