If the postseason futility made Yankees fans think that Aaron Boone could be out of a job, think again.
It had already been assumed that general manager Brian Cashman’s job was safe, but team owner Hal Steinbrenner told the Associated Press that he is planning to keep Boone on as manager. It comes just days after the Yankees had been swept out of the American League Championship Series by the Houston Astros.
“As far as Boone’s concerned, we just signed him and for all the same reasons I listed a year ago, I believe he is a very good manager,” Steinbrenner said told the AP Wednesday as he left the Yankees player development complex. “I don’t see a change there.”
The news is unlikely to please Yankees fans who have grown increasingly frustrated with the direction of the team. Steinbrenner and Cashman had both been booed at Yankee Stadium on several occasions during the year, including separate ceremonies honoring Yankees of the past.
Fans had also chanted “FIRE BOONE” late in the season as well.
Steinbrenner’s comments also come a day after reporting by SNY’s Andy Martino indicated that Boone’s job would not be in jeopardy. The SNY Baseball reporter noted there could be a change in stature for Boone or Cashman if fan displeasure reaches a certain level for ownership to take action.
Boone had signed a three-year contract extension last October and there is a team option for 2025. Cashman has been the general manager since 1998.
New York has not won a World Series title since 2009 and has not been back to the Fall Classic since then.
The Yankees are entering a crucial offseason with superstar slugger Aaron Judge poised to become a free agent if the team cannot come to terms with him on a new contract. The Yankees have until six days after the World Series ends to exclusively negotiate with him before he enters the open market.
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Steinbrenner would not discuss the Judge situation with the AP, but did say he and Cashman had met on Monday for early discussions about the offseason.
“We haven’t talked about anything yet,” Steinbrenner said. “Cash and I had some preliminary conversions.”
