The New York Yankees started off the season very strongly, building a seven-game lead in the American League East at one point.
However, since the start of June, the Yankees have struggled, and specifically have struggled against better opponents. The Yankees entered Thursday 5-15 against their biggest competitors in the division, the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox.
The Yankees should still qualify for the postseason, but MLB insider Ken Rosenthal recently noted, during an appearance on “Foul Territory,” that if they are bounced from the party early, Aaron Boone getting fired “seemingly is in play.”
If Boone is fired, the Yankees would quickly begin their search for his successor. Managing the Yankees is not an easy job, given the national attention that comes with it. While Boone was a first-time manager, the Yankees may want to find a more experienced option this time around.
Brian Cashman has hired two managers in his time with the Yankees: Boone and Joe Girardi. Both were former players for the Yankees. If the Yankees continue that trend, Don Mattingly could be a fine choice to replace Boone.
Mattingly played his entire 14-year career with the Yankees. He was a six-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glove Award winner, three-time Silver Slugger, batting champion and MVP Award winner.
Not only was Mattingly a far more accomplished player than Boone, but he has also had success as a manager. Mattingly was the 2020 National League Manager of the Year. He has an 889-950 career record as a manager between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins. Boone did help lead his team to a pennant last season, which Mattingly cannot say he has done.
Mattingly also has experience as a coach with the Yankees. He was a special instructor during spring training for seven seasons before he was named the hitting coach for the team. He was among those considered for the manager job when the team moved on from Joe Torre, but the job was given to Girardi.
Mattingly is currently the bench coach for the Blue Jays. If Aaron Boone is fired, Mattingly could bolt the Yankees’ division rival and finally return to the Bronx as a manager.
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