The Postseason Could Determine Aaron Boone’s Status For 2025

Heading into the 2024 season, there were many questions surrounding manager Aaron Boone’s job. Some thought he should’ve been fired after the disappointing 2023 season. He only has one guaranteed year remaining on his current contract while the club has an option for next season. This year, the New York Yankees rebounded from 2023 and clinched a spot in the postseason. However, there still is work to be done. The team also has an opportunity to win a division title, get a first-round bye, and earn home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. With Boone’s contract not having any more guaranteed years, the question is now how deep of a postseason will allow him to retain his job?

Aaron Boone Entered 2024 As A Lame-Duck Manager

Last season, the New York Yankees had a disappointing season. Despite re-signing Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo and signing free agents Carlos Rodon and Tommy Kahnle, New York missed the postseason for the first time since 2016. The team’s highest number of games was above .500 was 11 games all season. Many key players spent a significant amount of time on the injured list. This wasn’t the season the team had envisioned.

After the disappointing season, fans called for Aaron Boone and General Manager Brian Cashman to be fired. At one point, the team had announced that Cashman’s job was safe but had not said anything regarding Boone’s status. Boone had only one guaranteed year remaining on his current contract. Many people assumed Aaron Boone would be fired since the team hadn’t won a championship and missed the postseason. However, the team retained Boone for 2024 but didn’t extend his contract. While the team had an option for 2025, Boone would go into the season as a lame-duck manager.

A Successful 2024 Season

Despite entering the 2024 season as a lame-duck manager, Boone has led the Yankees to a lot of success. The Yankees offense has rebounded from a poor 2023 season and is averaging an American League-best 4.97 runs per game. Despite being without reigning Cy Young award winner Gerrit Cole for a good portion of the season. The pitching staff has compiled an ERA of 3.70. New York has also put together a winning record against teams with a .500 or better record. This has led the Yankees to recently clinch a return trip to the postseason. If the Yankees play well enough during the final week of the regular season, they’ll have the opportunity to win the AL East, clinch a first-round bye, and have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Boone Still Isn’t Guaranteed A Return In 2025

Despite Aaron Boone helping lead the Yankees to a rebound season, questions are still swirling about his job status for next season. This is perhaps tied to the Yankees’ recent performances in the postseason. While Boone has led the team to the postseason in six of his seven seasons in the dugout, the team hasn’t brought home a World Series title. Boone’s Yankees have a record of 14-17 in the postseason. The Yankees have also lost to the despicable Houston Astros twice during that span as well.

Given the Yankees 14-year World Series drought, fan frustration is at an all-time high. This was further exasperated when they missed the postseason in 2023, and Boone was ultimately retained for this season. While it hasn’t been said publicly, Boone’s fate could come down to how deep the Yankees go into the postseason. Some people even think that the Yankees need to get to the World Series for the team to guarantee Boone’s job security. Boone has been the manager for the past seven seasons. Sometimes in baseball not winning a championship can lead to a manager being fired. Heck, the Yankees let Joe Girardi go despite being within one game of the World Series and ultimately being cheated out of it. Unlike Boone, Girardi led the team to a championship and had a winning record in the postseason.

Postseason Success May Determine If Aaron Boone Returns

While the Yankees have had a lot of success this season, Aaron Boone’s could depend on how deep of a postseason run they go on. It’s been 14 years since the Yankees last won the World Series and fan frustration is at an all-time high. His status heading into this season was also uncertain. Boone is currently a lame-duck manager, and the team has yet to announce if they are picking up his option. Remember, this team let Joe Girardi leave who was even more successful than Boone. The Yankees’ success in the postseason could determine whether Aaron Boone returns to the dugout next season.

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