Aaron Boone, the manager of the New York Yankees, will return to the team for the 2025 season after the organization exercised his contract option. This decision follows a successful 2024 campaign which saw the Yankees make a World Series appearance, marking a significant achievement after a challenging previous season where they finished with an 82-80 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Throughout Boone's tenure, he has often found himself navigating a precarious situation as the team's manager. Despite the struggles faced in 2023, Boone received substantial support from within the organization. A high-ranking Yankees official emphasized this viewpoint, stating, 'Boone is an asset, not part of the problem.' This sentiment ultimately led to Boone's reinstatement for the 2024 season. With the strategic addition of Juan Soto to the lineup, batting ahead of star player Aaron Judge, and a notable improvement in the performance of pitcher Luis Gil, the Yankees were able to reclaim their postseason spot, culminating in an American League pennant win for the first time since 2009.
However, the postseason was not without its controversies. Following their World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, questions arose regarding Boone's management decisions, particularly his choice to utilize Nestor Cortes in relief during Game 1, an action which resulted in a crucial walk-off grand slam hit by Freddie Freeman. Criticism of Boone has primarily centered around his bullpen management strategies during high-stakes games. Former Yankees pitcher Luis Severino was notably vocal about these issues following a loss in the 2022 AL Division Series, indicating surprise at certain strategic choices made by the coaching staff. Moving forward, it remains to be seen whether the Yankees will extend Boone's contract or allow him to navigate the 2025 season before a new deal is considered. Since his hiring in December 2017, Boone has amassed 603 wins, ranking him seventh in franchise history for managerial victories, and he will become the eighth individual to manage the Yankees for at least eight seasons.
