New job security update on Yankees' Aaron Boone emerges

Some knowledgeable individuals remain unconvinced that New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner will allow senior vice president and general manager Brian Cashman to retain manager Aaron Boone following a disastrous 2023 season for the proud organization. 

"I heard weeks ago the manager would be in trouble if the Yankees were to finish in last place," Bob Klapisch of NJ Advance Media reported for a piece published Wednesday. "That door, I’m told, is still 'wide open.'" 

Klapisch offered that update after MLB insider Andy Martino of SNY said Monday that the "one way Boone will be fired" this fall is if Steinbrenner overrules "Cashman and his baseball operations department" regarding the job, something that "has never before happened with a managerial decision." 

Earlier this month, Klapisch mentioned that "a last-place finish...would all but doom Boone" even though Steinbrenner potentially parting ways with Cashman is "not up for discussion." 

The 64-68 Yankees began Wednesday morning in last place by themselves in the American League East standings. They were 11 games back in the battle for a wild-card playoff spot less than 24 hours after they released third baseman Josh Donaldson and placed center fielder Harrison Bader on waivers.

Boone guided the Yankees to the postseason each year from 2018 through 2022, and his contract includes a club option for 2025. However, the Bronx Bombers haven't returned to the World Series since they defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2009 Fall Classic. 

"This isn’t 2017," Klapisch added in his latest piece. "Cashman’s power will no longer be unchecked. Old school advisors Omar Minaya and Brian Sabean will have greater input in the coming months. That’s bad news for the analysts. And it could be bad news for Boone, too." 

Boone has multiple outspoken supporters inside the clubhouse who insist the skipper isn't to blame for the club's woeful campaign. Those individuals may spend September playing to save Boone's job assuming Steinbrenner hasn't yet made a final decision about how to handle the position.