Major League Baseball just can’t resist tinkering with the strike zone, and the latest experiment is already ruffling feathers. As if umpires weren’t under enough scrutiny, now the ABS challenge system is throwing fuel on the fire. Enter Aaron Boone, who wasted no words making his stance clear—following in the footsteps of Terry Francona and Craig Counsell. If the league wanted harmony, they might have picked the wrong battleground.

MLB decided that the human umpires were not getting the job done and brought in robot umpires. While most of the players were happy that umpires like Angel Hernandez would not have the final say, Aaron Boone views this very differently. Just about a week into spring training, and Aaron Boone is already not a fan of the automated ball-strike system (ABS). After the loss to the Atlanta Braves on the 2nd of March, Boone said, “Overall, taking a step back, big picture, I don’t love it.” 

And he says it has more impact on the game than what we see. Boone says that one of the best things about baseball is drama, and without drama, the fans are going to feel bored. The introduction of the ABS into the major leagues is going to impact that negatively. And the game not being dramatic enough is making him lean more towards no-ABS—someone needs to remind him about the game against the Blue Jays that led to his ejection.

Aaron Boone further says that it impacts the catchers and their ability to frame. He said, “I feel like they keep getting better and better that I don’t think I want anything to change.” As a catcher, framing pitches is crucial to getting the call in your favor. But with the ABS, it won’t make a difference. Boone feels like it undermines the catcher’s ability and will impact his game. After all, he has one of the best ball-framing catchers in the league, Austin Wells.

Boone may not love the ABS system, but like it or not, the robots are coming. While he clings to the drama of human error, MLB seems determined to script a future where framing is a lost art and umpires are just seat-fillers. Maybe Boone should start challenging the system itself—before the system challenges him right out of the argument.

Meet Aaron Boone, one of the highest-paid managers in the MLB

Aaron Boone isn’t just managing the Yankees—he’s managing to cash in. As one of the highest-paid skippers in Major League Baseball, he earns big money to yell at umpires, get ejected, and occasionally make lineup decisions. Love him or hate him, Boone’s paycheck proves one thing: arguing balls and strikes is a lucrative career path.

Well, the Yankees have made their decision to keep Aaron Boone as the manager till the 2027 season. And the green bills he will be making are insane, but insane only if you are not managing the New York Yankees. This extension means Boone will be making around $15 million over the next three seasons. This moves him close to the cream layer of managers in the league.

And even Aaron Boone was very excited to receive the contract extension. He said, “I’m thrilled to be here and to continue this journey with the Yankees.” With this, he is getting his shot at glory again with the New York Yankees, and maybe this time he will hit the spot and win the World Series. And I think he would be wishing for it to be against the Dodgers.

Boone has the paycheck, the contract, and another shot at Yankee glory—now all he needs is a ring. Whether he delivers a championship or just more ejections, one thing’s certain: he’s getting paid either way. The Yankees have made their bet—now it’s time to see if Boone can cash it in.