Expert hails Boone for turning ‘clunky’ Yankees to World Series contenders

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The New York Yankees’ recent move to secure Aaron Boone’s position as manager for 2025 has reignited debate about his role and leadership style. The manager, who just completed a three-year contract signed in 2021, steered the Yankees to the World Series this season, only to fall short against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

MLB analyst Scott Braun offered a defense of Boone on PIX11’s “New York Sports Nation,” drawing a comparison to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. Roberts, who recently claimed a World Series title, has faced similar scrutiny from Dodgers fans, though the championship has quieted some critics.

Braun underscored Boone’s achievement in guiding a roster with notable flaws to the league’s biggest stage, even with AL MVP finalists Aaron Judge and Juan Soto in the lineup. He characterized the 2024 Yankees as one of the least fundamentally sound teams he had seen, which he credited to roster construction issues rather than managerial oversight.

The “Foul Territory” podcast host urged Yankees fans to consider Boone’s contributions in a broader context, pointing out how quickly perceptions of a manager can change when a title is won.

“I think this is where it’s good for New York fans to take a step outside and look at Dave Roberts and his situation with the Dodgers as they just won the World Series,” the analyst said. “We get the same complaints about Dave Roberts that we do about Aaron Boone. All of a sudden he wins another World Series for the Dodgers and we don’t hear that anymore. I think he (Aaron Boone) does a great job. I think, like I mentioned earlier, they gave him a clunky roster. He brought them to the World Series. This was not a perfect team. This was one of the worst fundamentally sound teams I’ve ever seen as a baseball fan.”

Boone Commits to Yankees for 2025

As speculation about his future with the organization grows, Boone remains focused on his current one-year option for 2025, displaying a pragmatic approach to the situation. In recent conversations, Boone noted that year-to-year contracts are a common aspect of many careers, reflecting his understanding of the transient nature of professional roles.

Aaron Boone acknowledged that while the criticism surrounding the Yankees’ postseason performance affected him, he also recognized that his team fell short of expectations during key moments. He pointed specifically to the crucial fifth inning of Game 5, where three defensive errors proved costly. Boone suggested that the media’s focus on these mistakes was disproportionate to their actual impact on the series.

“We had a really tough inning,” he said. “That’s understandable it gets a lot of attention. But that’s part of the game. (We’ll) try and continue to get better and evolve where we need to,’’

Despite the errors, Boone defended his team’s attention to detail, highlighting several smaller accomplishments that contributed to their American League-best regular season. However, he also recognized the team’s ongoing struggles in baserunning and defensive execution, which ultimately became too much to overcome against the Dodgers, despite the Yankees’ offensive power.

Looking forward, Boone emphasized the organization’s commitment to addressing these fundamental weaknesses and making the necessary adjustments for future success. His comments reflected a balanced perspective, acknowledging both the team’s achievements and the areas in need of improvement.

Boone confident of Yankees’ pursuit of Juan Soto

As the offseason progresses, much attention has turned to Juan Soto’s free agency, with Boone expressing a strong desire to keep the slugger after his standout 2024 season. The outcome of Soto’s negotiations could play a significant role in shaping Boone’s long-term future with the Yankees, underscoring the interconnectedness of personnel decisions within the franchise.

Aaron Boone expressed enthusiasm for keeping Juan Soto with the Yankees, revealing plans for an upcoming meeting in Southern California with Soto, his agent Scott Boras, and key team figures, including owner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman.

Securing Soto’s long-term commitment is the Yankees’ top priority this offseason, but they face stiff competition, particularly from the Mets, owned by Steve Cohen. Boone, who has seen firsthand the impact Soto has had on the lineup with his outstanding on-base and slugging numbers, praised both Soto’s on-field talent and his character.

Acknowledging the competitive nature of Soto’s free agency, Boone noted that other teams will be vying for the outfielder’s services. However, he expressed confidence in the Yankees’ front office and ownership, emphasizing their commitment to building a championship contender, regardless of how the bidding plays out.

With Soto’s value likely reaching near $700 million, Boone noted that the Yankees’ meeting would be small, though he was unsure whether others might join the discussions. One potential participant could be Robinson Cano, Soto’s baseball idol and former Yankees All-Star second baseman, who played a key role in the team’s last World Series title.

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