Yankees manager Aaron Boone takes swings at Fenway Park
Yankees manager Aaron Boone stepped into the cage at Fenway Park to take a few batting practice swings before the Sept. 13, 2025 game against the Red Sox.
NEW YORK – Yankees GM Brian Cashman sees no diminishment of Aaron Boone’s dedication, preparation or connection with his players.
And if the Yankees manager were a free agent this fall, “he’d get a job rather quickly,’’ said Cashman, putting his faith in Boone for a ninth season at the helm in 2026.
“I don’t think it’s about leadership,” said Cashman of his defending AL champs being knocked out of MLB’s postseason tournament by the Toronto Blue Jays.
“I just think it’s about competition at a given moment in time.”
In the fresh, stinging moments following the Yankees’ exit in the AL Division Series, Boone said of his elusive pursuit of a world championship: “I’ve been chasing it my whole life.’’
Boone’s pinstriped window toward that pursuit hasn’t closed yet; he signed an extension in February that takes him through the 2027 season, with Cashman’s contract expiring after 2026.
“He’s had a lot of success in the regular season, he’s had some success in the postseason, and there’s a lot of things to be proud of,’’ said Cashman, praising Boone’s ability to manage personalities “especially’’ in the “pressure cooker’’ of New York.
“I care about the work that goes on behind the scenes,’’ said Cashman, calling Boone “one of the better managers’’ in the game, though changes are coming to the coaching staff.
Yankees’ coaching staff shakeup
Cashman confirmed that longtime bullpen coach Mike Harkey and first base/infielders coach Travis Chapman would not have their contracts renewed for 2026.
Additionally, assistant hitting coach Pat Roessler, 65, won’t return to the big-league staff and is being considered for another position within the organization.
Jake Hirst will be elevated to Roessler’s spot on the big-league staff, having served on the Yankees’ player development side since 2018.
“He’s earned this opportunity,’’ said Cashman, adding that Hirst had a similar offer from an MLB club, requiring the Yankees’ response.
And with several managerial openings around MLB, there’s uncertainty about the return of batting coach James Rowson, third base coach Luis Rojas and bench coach Brad Ausmus.
Already, Cashman has granted permission for the Minnesota Twins to interview Rowson and for the Baltimore Orioles to speak with Rojas regarding their vacancies at manager, and the GM anticipates more such requests.
Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone enters 9th season
In Boone’s assessment, the 2025 Yankees “could’ve matched up and played with anyone” for a championship, but the Blue Jays “put it on us” all season, winning 11 of 17 overall.
Boone’s 2025 club finished at 94 regular season wins, matching the total of last year’s pennant winning Yankees, but they missed the AL East title – and home field advantage throughout the playoffs – by a single win.
That slim margin has haunted Boone, causing to ask himself if he should’ve been “a little more bold with some ideas that maybe help net us a game along the way.’’
“(It’s) something that eats at me a little bit,’’ said Boone, whose club – led by another MVP-caliber season by Aaron Judge – was “a bit more athletic, well-rounded group’’ than in previous years.
They were also at their healthiest and playing well down the stretch, but it’s time again to “dust ourselves off and build another club’’ toward a run in 2026.
“I’m confident in my ability to lead this team, I’m confident in our organization to build a team that gives us a chance to win,’’ said Boone. “Ultimately, it’s about us winning No. 28.’’