NEW YORK – There’s no promise beyond 2027, yet, but Aaron Boone retains the full trust and faith of Yankees ownership.
Hal Steinbrenner put "the majority of the responsibility'' for this year’s playoff exit on “the position players and the inability to score on a consistent basis'' and "not on the shoulders of Aaron Boone.''
Along with Boone returning for a 10th season as Yanks manager, the final guaranteed year of his contract, GM Brian Cashman has agreed to a new deal.
Steinbrenner hasn’t discussed another contract extension with Boone, though "it's something I’d certainly consider," the owner said Wednesday.
Operating without a guarantee beyond ’27 "doesn’t bother me at all,'' said Boone. "My focus is only on looking toward next year'' and another title run.
Hal Steinbrenner's take on Aaron Boone's 2026 season
In making the Boone decision, Steinbrenner said he asked himself: "Did he manage the team well this season? I think the answer is 'yes.'
"I’m not going to make a change just to make a change,'' said Steinbrenner, two weeks after his 93-win club was swept by the Rays in the AL Division Series.
"Some clubs made (managerial) changes and I guess they had their reasons,'' said Steinbrenner. "I don’t think you can pin the season and the unacceptable end to it on Aaron.''
Largely without Aaron Judge (rib fracture, calf strain) and Giancarlo Stanton (multiple calf strains) and despite injury list stretches by key veteran pitchers, Boone piloted a Yankee team to postseason for the eighth time in nine years.
But a second straight ALDS elimination versus a division foe, and a 17th year without a world championship, has put further scrutiny on Yankees leadership.
Beyond the team’s obvious talent, criticism about toughness and accountability are not unfair.
"I know get accused sometimes of being too positive,'' Boone said of his public takes on player mistakes. "There is probably a time and place for that, but generally speaking, to me that’s not leadership.
"That’s me giving red meat to people who want to be upset with somebody,'' said Boone, preferring to address those issues one-to-one, or with the group.
"I know how hard it is to walk out there every single day in a game of failure.''
But the club’s defensive issues in ALDS Game 3, and lapses in judgment by certain players didn’t reflect well on the manager and his staff.
Several of Boone’s coaches, including pitching coach Matt Blake and catching coordinator Tanner Swanson – two key staffers – are on expiring contracts.
A full staff evaluation has yet to occur, with scrutiny falling mostly on batting coach James Rowson and his assistants.
"I think James leads a great hitting group,'' said Boone. "I’ve been really impressed with the culture he’s created…over the last few seasons.''
Aaron Boone: "I believe it can happen with me''
Moving into an 18th year since the Yanks' last world championship, Boone said, "I believe it can happen with me at the helm.
"But any answer I give in defense of that isn’t going to be a great one or satisfy people.''
Boone had no specific regrets about 2026, though he alluded to "conversations you have with guys throughout the year that, could you have gotten more out of this guy?''
Once more, Boone "certainly felt like we had a team capable of making a deep run,'' but was eliminated by the eventual AL East champ for a second straight year.
"I’d say every year is hard,'' said Boone. "This feels up there as one of the hardest.''
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees run it back with Aaron Boone, coaching staff questions linger