Aaron Boone’s Yankees return was a safe, predictable call in the specter or uncertainty

The Yankees, who ran it back with all their big players to mixed success this season, are doing the same with their main decision-makers now. And I get it. I understand. They have a duo at the top of their baseball hierarchy that their big boss loves. That boss, Hal Steinbrenner, doesn’t like change. And he doesn’t often take chances. 

Access the Yankees beat like never before

Don’t miss Greg Joyce’s text messages from The Bronx and beyond — he’s giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Yankees.

Sign Up Now

Manager Aaron Boone is confirmed to be returning for his 10th season, and it’s surely only a matter of time before we hear general manager Brian Cashman is coming back for his 30th. 

And while it was suggested here that the Yankees move on from Boone following another dreadful October disintegration, no one can be surprised he’s staying for the final year of his deal, at about $5.5 million. It’s logical. It’s the secure play. Steinbrenner II isn’t exactly a gunslinger. Firing a manager with a lifetime .583 winning percentage is something only done by the old Boss, not the new one. 

This really all came down to a couple of facts: