Aaron Boone, the Yankees’ manager, is on the radar again! This time, he is facing backlash for being merely an instrument used by Brian Cashman, as stated by one Yankees analyst. During the press conference, both Cashman and Boone discussed bringing Boone back on a new three-year contract. However, it seemed evident that both of them were aware of what had been said about the team. But before getting into more details, let’s see how Aaron Boone fared as a manager in his stint with the Yankees.

Out of 162 games, Boone led the team to win 94 games with 68 losses, having a win-loss percentage of .580. While his managerial skills have been praised often, he’s been considered as someone who goes by whatever the front office wants him to do. Well, Aaron Boone, when signed back on a three-year deal with the New York Yankees, praised the front office for its constant support and tools provided; however, he sometimes faces difficult decisions to make.

Although Boone negated any perception about him, affirming nothing of that kind happening, on February 22, Yankees analyst Terrence Cam said on the Pinstripes Territory episode, “Yeah, I really just think that Boone is, I don’t want to be mean here, but I will be a puppet. I think he’s a puppet. I think he’s a front-office puppet. I think that the front office basically gives him, Hey, this is our game plan, and this is what we think you should do, and we highly recommend you do this.” Oh, that literally feels like getting an order, doesn’t it?

Well, Terrence Cam even confirmed that it’s a do-or-die for the manager—either go with the game plan proposed by the front office or be ready to face the consequences. In that case, the team doesn’t do well; Boone might have to answer everything. It seems like Aaron Boone rarely deviates from the decisions made by the front office, and that might be the most important reason behind getting lambasted. However, Aaron Boone confirmed that the front office is more of a buffet table that presents them with multiple choices, allowing him and the coaching staff to make the final decision regarding the lineup and all. 

Aaron Boone’s stint with the Yankees will continue

The extension of Aaron Boone’s contract comes right after the New York Yankees made it to the World Series in 2024. While he has managed the club since 2018, Boone’s contribution to the team cannot be ignored. Under him, the Yankees have qualified for the postseason every year and didn’t qualify once in 2023. Although the disappointing 82-80 season fetched him a lot of criticism, giving rise to negativity surrounding his managerial status, it isn’t easy to get him away. Right?

Not to forget, Aaron Boone played with the Yankees during a season in 2003, where he made a legendary 11th-inning walk-off home run in Game 7 of the ALCS against the Yankees’ archrival, the Boston Red Sox. Boone managed the team to achieve a 100-win season in his first two years as the Yankees’ manager. However, ever since the Yankees lost against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 World Series championship, fans have expressed their disappointment about signing him back.

There’s still a lot of time left, though, for him to make a good comeback and help the team to make it off the playoffs. Do you think the Yankees made a good decision signing him back? Do let us know in the comment section below.