Yankees reportedly could view Joe Espada as eventual replacement for manager Aaron Boone

The only real thing that's for sure about the future of New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is that, barring what would be a stunning development, he will hold onto his job through at least Opening Day 2027 (whenever that may be).

Boone lost a big-name bench coach when Brad Ausmus left the club for the Houston Astros this fall. It sounds like a different person with ties to the Astros could eventually serve as Boone's replacement with the Yankees. 

Joe Espada joining the Yankees "is inevitable"

For a piece published on Thursday morning, Bob Klapisch of NJ Advance Media shared that former Astros manager Joe Espada "is the front-runner in the Bronx" to replace Ausmus. 

"According to one source familiar with the Yankees' thinking, Espada's hiring is inevitable. The source requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the situation," Klapisch wrote. "Espada is smart, articulate and well-liked. Espada could also end up being the Yankees' manager someday." 

Espada previously served as a bench coach for the Yankees from 2015 through the 2017 season before he was hired by the Astros as bench coach in the fall of '17. He was later promoted to manager in the fall of 2023, but he ultimately went 0-4 in postseason play across his three seasons in charge before the Astros showed him the door. 

Aaron Boone's seat may get warmer before next season starts

As for Boone, reports suggested that a big reason he was retained after the Yankees were eliminated by the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Division Series round of the postseason tournament was uncertainty related to the upcoming lockout, which is set to begin on Dec. 1. That said, he is only signed through the 2027 season, and that seemingly won't change this winter. 

Boone guiding the Yankees to just one World Series appearance and zero championships from 2018 through this past season has made him a target for fans who want change as soon as possible. Such change was never coming this fall, but that may not be the case roughly 12 months from now. 

"Chances are that Espada's next in line for Ausmus' job and maybe Boone's, too," Klapisch added.