Even after a long list of playoff embarrassments caused by bad decisions and even worse fundamentals, the New York Yankees seem committed to Aaron Boone. The 2003 ALCS hero (villain, in Boston's eyes) has been New York's manager since 2018, and while it's made the playoffs in all but one of those years, the postseason losses have been ugly.
After another ALDS marred by errors and minimized offense, the Yankees are expected to hold onto Boone for at least another year, according to Buster Olney and Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. Another insider agrees, but thinks Boone's days could be numbered.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that a source close to Alex Cora believes the Yankees could be the team to lure him out of his hiatus (subscription required). The Philadelphia Phillies have twice approached Cora about their managerial vacancy but he declined both times in favor of taking the 2027 campaign off.
Cora is still being paid by the Red Sox. Next year will be the last of the three-year contract he signed with Boston in the middle of the 2024 season.
Whether Cora doesn't want to work while he's still being paid, doesn't want to work for the Phillies organization or doesn't want to return to managing at all is unknown. But the Yankees being the team to bring him out of his mini "retirement" would crush Red Sox fans.
Jon Heyman reports that Yankees may be able to lure former Red Sox manager Alex Cora back into the dugout following hiatus
Cora's April firing garnered mixed emotions from Red Sox Nation. On one hand, he'd entered his eighth season as manager in Boston and it missed the playoffs in five of those years. On the other hand, Cora is one of the most well-respected skippers in the game and the front office took a notable step back from spending following the 2018 World Series victory. Cora didn't have as much to work with as many of his predecessors in the John Henry-Fenway Sports Group era.
Red Sox fans love that the Yankees haven't fired Boone. He's prone to putting his foot in his mouth and making questionable decisions that make New York look a bit less like the Evil Empire and more like bumbling underdogs. (Yes, we know they still beat the Red Sox, but two teams can be embarrassing).
The Yankees have good reasons to hold off on firing Boone, if that is in their plans. The managerial options on the market this season aren't the most inspiring and Cora is undoubtedly a better option than all of them (subscription required). The 2027 season is also likely to be shortened by a lockout, which could seriously shake up the standings — New York may be able to deal with Boone for another year in favor of better choices when it does decide to move on.
Cora dropped some petty tweets after his firing from the Red Sox organization, and while it's been months since the fateful day, he may not be over how he was treated. Going to the Yankees would be the ultimate revenge, a brutal outcome for the Red Sox and their fans.
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