MLB Hot Stove: Yankees “Inclined” to bring back Boone as Skipper

According to a report that originated from ESPN's Buster Onley, the New York Yankees are inclined toward bringing back Aaron Boone as manager for the 2022 season. Currently, Boone, who wrapped up his fourth season as Yankees skipper in the AL Wild Card Game loss to the Boston Red Sox over a week ago, is without a contract for next season.

Reportedly, owner Hal Steinbrenner "likes Boone."

Earlier this past season, Steinbernner issued a challenge to the entire team to play better when the ball-club was struggling to get over the .500 mark. In fact, the Yankees were 41-41 on the 4th of July after dropping the first game of a twin-bill to the cross-town New York Mets.

From that point, the Yankees rallied off a record of 51-29, including a 13-game winning streak in mid-August, despite numerous injuries to their starting rotation and lineup. The Yankees didn't clinch a playoff berth until the final day of the regular season when Aaron Judge won the finale against the Tampa Bay Rays, 1-0, with an infield single.

In his four years as Yankees manager, Boone is 328-218 as Yankees manager, which is actually a better winning percentage (.601) than his predecessor, Joe Girardi, who had a .562 winning percentage in 10 seasons at the helm from 2008-2017.

Boone's contract expires within hours after the World Series concludes, and there is speculation that one possible team of interest is the San Diego Padres, who split with their skipper Jayce Tingler, after the Padres failed to meet expectations this past season.

If the Yankees don't bring back Boone, they will join the Mets in the managerial search. The Mets are currently looking for a President of Baseball Operations, a General Manager, and a new  Manager for 2022.