New York Yankees fans learned, on Wednesday, that manager Aaron Boone would continue leading the way in 2023.
Most fans, still hurt by being swept by the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series, have identified Boone as the scapegoat, blaming him for the Yanks’ recent postseason failures.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner, however, doesn’t think he is the problem.
“Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner plans on keeping Aaron Boone as manager, per @AP_Sports & @SNYtv. Steinbrenner said, ‘I believe he is a very good manager. I don’t see a change there,'” FOX Sports MLB tweeted with quotes of the executive.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner plans on keeping Aaron Boone as manager, per @AP_Sports & @SNYtv
Steinbrenner said, "I believe he is a very good manager. I don’t see a change there.” pic.twitter.com/FFreDh7utS
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 26, 2022
Boone shouldn’t be considered an elite manager in MLB, but he is also not in the bottom ten.
He is closer to average or a bit above-average when we consider the whole package.
He sticks up for his players, he understands analytics and how they can help in real-life situations, and his players respect him.
However, he is also not without flaws.
His bullpen management can be spotty, and that is a mistake that managers pay in the playoffs.
Lineup construction is also an issue, as he didn’t repeat one in the postseason and didn’t maximize his roster’s strengths.
Extreme Loyalty
He is also loyal, perhaps a bit too much: he just refused to take Isiah Kiner-Falefa out of the lineup when he showed he was an offensive and defensive liability.
His overall package of skills have yielded a lifetime 14-17 postseason record.
However, the main culprits of the Yankees’ recent struggles are Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman, particularly the former.
They are the ones putting together the roster that Boone uses.
They also deserve part of the blame, and have gotten it on social media.
Boone, for now, will continue managing the Yanks.
Cashman’s future is not decided yet, but it would be a surprise to see him gone.
He is a good general manager, but things don’t appear to be working out.
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