Yankees general manager Brian Cash appears intent on keeping manager Aaron Boone on the job for an eighth season, defending his team following criticism from Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly of the lineup’s poor defensive play of New York in the World Series.
“I’m a big Aaron Boone fan. I think he’s a great manager and I think we’re lucky to have him,” Cash said during Tuesday’s general managers meeting.
Boone led the Yankees to a 603-429 record, three AFC East titles and a World Series appearance in seven seasons at the helm. After the Bronx Bombers lost in the final last week, Boone said he hadn’t yet thought about his future.
Boone agreed to a three-year contract in October 2021 that included a team option for the 2025 season. Cashman said the deadline to exercise the option was 10 days after the World Series. He is considering both the option and a new pact.
“We cannot put the cart before the horse. We’re not there yet,” said Cashman, who added that he didn’t blame Boone for the roster changes during the playoffs.
“The job of a manager is so difficult that you can play the questioning game, because either your decisions will bear fruit or the results will be negative, right? So, I think he’s a very, very good manager. I think we’re lucky to have him. He did an excellent job. »
Cashman nevertheless admitted that his team’s performance in the World Series was disappointing. The Yankees blew a lead in the 10th inning in Game 1 when Freddie Freeman hit a grand slam. After losing the first three duels and winning the fourth, the New Yorkers blew a 5-0 lead in the fifth game. The Dodgers won 7-6 to be crowned champions.
“First of all, I admit we played poorly in the World Series,” Cashman conceded. We all saw it and, unfortunately, we didn’t give our best play when it mattered most. »
Kelly was limited to 35 games this season due to a right shoulder injury and did not pitch in the postseason. He criticized the Yankees during his appearance on the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast.
“They were bad, yes, everyone knows that,” he said. We said every game, “Let them throw the ball in the infield, they can’t make a play.” I mean, you saw Shohei [Ohtani] go to third due to a missed play by Gleyber [Torres]. It’s well known. We knew it. We’re the Dodgers, we know all the details.
“It was just uneven from the start,” Kelly added. If we had reclassified the teams before the playoffs, they would be eighth or ninth. Do you understand what I mean? The Padres [de San Francisco] were in front of them, the Phillies [de Philadelphie] were in front of them, the Braves [d’Atlanta]. Les Guardians [de Cleveland] played very poorly, but they played better defensively and in general [que les Yankees]. »
Cashman brushed aside these criticisms.
“I heard,” Cashman said. I also know people with the Dodgers, so I’ve had conversations, and I think it applies to specific players rather than the group as a whole.
“And in Joe’s case, it seems like for some reason it’s a little personal, the way he spoke. »
