The New York Yankees are in danger of missing the playoffs, yet no matter what happens, GM Brian Cashman’s job is reportedly safe.
NJ.com’s Bob Klapisch reported Wednesday that Cashman will be back in 2024, no matter what. A source said that “The idea (of firing Cashman) isn’t even on the table. It’s not up for discussion.”
Manager Aaron Boone’s job security is “less certain,” according to the report, with the source saying Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is “deeply frustrated” with the team’s play this season.
The Yankees entered the Wednesday 59-55 and 4.5 games out of a Wild-Card spot. FanGraphs.com puts their odds of making the playoffs at 12.7%.
That’s definitely not what you expect from a $277 million payroll, second highest in baseball this season behind the free-spending Mets ($354 million).
Of course, injuries to slugger Aaron Judge and to several pitchers have hurt, yet many fans are pointing fingers at Cashman and Boone.
The NJ.com report suggests Boone’s contract status — he’s signed through next season — could impact Steinbrenner’s decision.
This latest news seems to signify a shift in the Yankees owner’s thinking from early June, when Steinbrenner reportedly said that missing the playoffs would not necessarily be the end for Cashman or Boone, and that both would be re-evaluated after the season.
Yankees fans and baseball observers reacted to the report with mixed feelings.
If Brian Cashman's job is safe, which it likely is. Mine as well bring Boone back also. If Boone got fired Cashman will bring in Boone 2.0. The #yankees are an absolute mess. https://t.co/evuwE32Ija
— Pete Simonetti (@SimonettiSource) August 9, 2023
No it’s not I agree. He’s perfected the art of taking heat for the real issues at hand and shielding players from scrutiny. That’s what he was hired for in the end. It’s why I don’t understand why he’s the one under fire. He’s done everything they asked
— Joe Randazzo 📚📕📖 (@LibrarianJoe_) August 9, 2023
I think you explained it right here. Boone is a human shield between the FO and the fans, which means when things go bad, pressure is there to fire him to appease the fans.
— JCP 🇺🇸🇻🇦 (@1EpicPug) August 9, 2023
Take the Rays and Orioles manager, can’t say that they’re roster on paper they have proven track records as dominate as the Yankees roster, yet the Rays and more recently the O’s have lapped the Yankees in performance.
— Chris (@crny02) August 9, 2023
[NJ.com]
