KANSAS CITY – With speculation tying Aaron Boone’s job status to the Yankees’ performance in the ALDS, Brian Cashman took a few questions on the manager’s future before the Bombers played the Royals in Game 3 of the ALDS on Wednesday.
“It’s important for all of us to obviously try to advance and keep our season going, because our ultimate goal is a world championship,” said Cashman, who spoke when the series was still tied at one. “After that, when the winter starts, the winter starts, and we’ll deal with the winter when we deal with it. Hopefully it’s a lot later than another week.”
Boone, 51, is in his seventh season as Yankees skipper. With a 603-429 (.584) regular season record, he is the eighth-winningest manager in franchise history. He’s also taken the Yankees to the playoffs in each of his seasons at the helm expect for last year, when the Yankees recorded their worst record since 1992.
However, Boone has never won a World Series. And with the Yankees’ championship drought dating back to 2009, a segment of the fanbase entered this postseason with impatience and elevated expectations. Losing to the Royals in the ALDS would fall far short of those.
The Yankees have a club option on Boone for 2025, adding to speculation over his future.
However, Cashman said Boone has done a “great job” this year. The season isn’t over, of course, but Cashman noted that the Yankees claimed the American League’s best record and a division title.
Those aren’t achievements the Yankees throw parades for, though.
When asked if Boone had any mandates attached to the outcome of the ALDS, Cashman replied, “I mean, he’s signed through a contract.”
“I’m certainly happy to have him as our manager, as you all know,” Cashman continued. “I think we have an option on him, and so I got nothing more to add, other than let’s try to find a way to beat Kansas City.”
