Boone hasn't had talks with Yankees about future with contract expiring
The New York Yankees are going home for the winter, and manager Aaron Boone's future with the club is suddenly more cloudy than ever.
With his team's campaign now finished after a 6-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox in the American League wild-card game on Tuesday, Boone is unsure if he'll be back in the Bronx. He isn't under contract for next season.
"I mean obviously my contract's up, and I haven't had any conversations with anyone about that," Boone said when asked if expects to return in 2022, according to SNY. "So, we'll see. I love being here. I love going to work with this group, and love going to work with this group of players."
"All I can say is that I love doing this. I felt incredibly supported from the organization," he said, according to Matthew Roberson of the New York Daily News. "Whatever happens moving forward, I'll be at peace with.
"I know I can hold my head high," Boone continued.
The 44-year-old has experienced some success over his four seasons with the Yankees, leading the club to a pair of 100-plus-win seasons and four consecutive playoff berths.
But Boone's teams have stalled in the playoffs, failing to win a pennant and advancing to the ALCS just once. The Yankees' current World Series drought of 12 years is the third-longest in franchise history.
At least one of his players is hoping there's no change in the dugout.
"Special person, special coach," outfielder Aaron Judge said of Boone, according to Brendan Kuty of NJ.com. "Hoping for more in the future."
While his future is murky, Boone is already thinking about how the Yankees must improve in 2022 to put this disappointing finish behind them.
"We gotta get better," he said, according to SNY. "We gotta get better in every aspect."
"It's not just the Red Sox and the Astros now in our league," he added. "Look at our division. The Rays are a beast. Toronto. There's some teams in the Central that are getting better and better, teams in the West that are better and better. Teams that have closed the gap on us, and that needs to be front and center as guys prepare in the offseason."