Aaron Boone is set to begin his eighth season as Yankees manager after the team picked up his 2025 option, technically leaving him in a “lame duck” role. However, owner Hal Steinbrenner hinted this week that an extension is imminent, confirming during a YES Network interview that talks will ramp up soon. Boone, who signed a three-year deal in 2018 and a 2021 extension, could soon join the ranks of long-tenured Yankees skippers like Joe Torre (12 years) and Joe Girardi (10). But comparisons to those legends only highlight Boone’s shortcomings.
Torre’s Hall of Fame-caliber leadership and Girardi’s 2009 championship grit—coupled with his ability to navigate aging rosters and media firestorms—make Boone’s résumé pale in comparison. Boone’s questionable in-game decisions, like yanking Gerrit Cole early in a critical World Series game or deploying an injured Nestor Cortes against Ohtani and Freeman, have backfired spectacularly. His lineup quirks, bullpen mismanagement, and unwavering loyalty to underperforming players frustrate fans, yet the Yankees’ brass seems unfazed.
Despite glaring flaws, the organization prioritizes stability over accountability. Steinbrenner and GM Brian Cashman appear content with Boone’s ability to keep the Yankees “competitive” and “relevant,” even as rivals like the Dodgers, Astros, and Red Sox outmaneuver them. While the team recently snapped a 15-year pennant drought, Boone’s tenure has been defined by missed opportunities and stale leadership. Critics argue a new voice is needed to reignite the franchise, but for now, Boone’s survival hinges on one question: Can a manager coasting on talent alone outlast icons like Torre and Girardi? The Yankees, it seems, are willing to find out.
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