"They gave Aaron Boone a clunky roster" - MLB analyst argues Yankees manager deserves credit for leading Aaron Judge and Co. to World Series
New York Yankees skipper Aaron Boone's tenure as the Yankees manager has often divided opinion of the fanbase. While the former Yankees player has often copped criticism for his shortcomings with the Bronx Bombers, MLB analyst Scott Braun defended Boone.
The Yankees announced exercising Boone’s option for 2025 as his three-year deal, signed in 2021, expired following the World Series loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In Monday's episode of the 'New York Sports Nation' on PIX11 News, Scott Braun applauded Boone's effort by highlighting the flaws in the Yankees' roster despite featuring AL MVP finalists Aaron Judges and Juan Soto and drawing a parallel with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
The "Foul Territory" host said about Boone returning for 2025 (3:50):
"I think this is where it's good for New York fans to take a step outside and look at Dave Roberts and his situation with the Dodgers as they just won the World Series. We get the same complaints about Dave Roberts that we do about Aaron Boone. All of a sudden he wins another World Series for the Dodgers and we don't hear that anymore.
"I think he (Aaron Boone) does a great job. I think, like I mentioned earlier, they gave him a clunky roster. He brought them to the World Series. This was not a perfect team. This was one of the worst fundamentally sound teams I've ever seen as a baseball fan."
Aaron Boone reflects on returning for the 2025 season
Despite the criticism, Aaron Boone led the Yankees to their first World Series run since 2009. While some would've expected an extension heading into his potential final year with the team, Boone is relaxed about it being just a one-year option for now.
“Here I am,” Boone said. “The reality is there’s tons of people going to work every single day with that existence where it’s year-to-year.”
Although the offseason is still in the early stages, one of the biggest talking points has been Juan Soto's free agency. Boone remains adamant on bringing back the dynamic slugger to the Bronx following his remarkable 2024 run with the Yankees and Soto's return could play a crucial role in deciding Boone's future with the franchise.