Yankees general manager Brian Cashman expressed support for Aaron Boone, suggesting the manager is likely to return for an eighth season despite the team’s disappointing World Series performance. Cashman praised Boone, calling him a “great manager” and someone they are “lucky to have.”
He emphasized Boone’s leadership, noting his overall record of 603-429, three American League East titles, and one pennant in seven seasons. Boone’s future with the Yankees will be discussed following the World Series, with a team option deadline set for 10 days afterward. Cashman implied that both extending Boone’s current contract and possibly negotiating a new deal were on the table.
Throughout the postseason, Cashman maintained confidence in Boone’s decisions, acknowledging that managing is a difficult job filled with second-guessing. He defended Boone’s actions and choices, explaining that the nature of the role often invites scrutiny regardless of the outcome. Cashman reiterated his belief that Boone is “really, really good” at his job and that the team values his contributions. This support comes despite the Yankees’ underwhelming finish and a few controversial in-game choices that drew fan criticism.
The Yankees’ World Series loss was marked by a series of defensive errors and pitching issues, including a blown 10th-inning lead in Game 1 and a failed 5-0 lead in Game 5. High-profile mistakes involved Aaron Judge, Anthony Volpe, and Gerrit Cole, leading to a 7-6 Game 5 loss that allowed the Dodgers to clinch the title. Cashman acknowledged these missteps, stating the team “played poorly” and failed to bring their “A-game” when it mattered most. However, he resisted placing the blame on Boone or individual players for the series outcome.
Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly criticized the Yankees’ defense on his podcast, describing them as “sloppy” and suggesting they were outmatched throughout the series. Kelly pointed to specific moments, such as a play involving Gleyber Torres, and claimed that multiple playoff teams performed better than the Yankees. Cashman responded to Kelly’s remarks by downplaying them as potentially personal, noting that he has internal feedback from the Dodgers organization. He implied that Kelly’s criticisms might not represent the views of the entire Dodgers roster.
Addressing roster composition, Cashman defended the Yankees’ approach, acknowledging that some players excel more in offense than in defense or baserunning. He highlighted the reality of managing diverse skill sets, explaining that not every player can be good at every aspect, such as bunting, despite practice efforts. Cashman argued that teams need to work with each player’s strengths and limitations, managing the roster they have instead of pushing players to perform tasks they are inherently weaker at. This perspective reflects Cashman’s broader philosophy on balancing team-building with managing realistic player capabilities.
