NY Yankees’ struggles fuel rumors of Aaron Boone’s exit as former NL Manager of the Year enters the mix

The New York Yankees once looked like they were poised to run away with the American League East. Sitting atop the standings earlier this season, their mix of power hitting and strong pitching had fans dreaming of a deep October run. But as the summer grind took hold, the team’s fortunes shifted. Losses piled up, and the once-comfortable gap at the top evaporated.

Now clinging to a narrow 1 ½-game lead for the final AL Wild Card spot, the Yankees are in a fight they didn’t expect. The mood in the Bronx has shifted, and while the front office maintains a steady public stance, the frustration in the stands is unmistakable. The calls for a managerial shake-up have grown louder, with Aaron Boone squarely in the spotlight.

MLB insider Jon Heyman has reported there’s no immediate plan to fire Boone. Still, speculation has begun about who could take over should the organization decide a change is necessary. Among the names floated, one stands out: former Miami Marlins skipper and 2023 NL Manager of the Year, Skip Schumaker.

Could skip Schumaker be the right fit for the Yankees?

“The Miami Marlins and Skip Schumaker parted ways after only two seasons together,” wrote FanSided’s Christopher Kline. “He led them to 84 wins and a surprise postseason berth in 2023. Then Miami undercut the front office with Kim Ng’s firing and the team fell apart. It’s rather difficult to pinpoint exact managerial tendencies in today’s game, but Schumaker has proven that he can rally a group of underdogs to outperform expectations. Just imagine what he might do with a team of high-paid stars and the Yankees logo across his chest.”

Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker enters the field against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day at loanDepot park on March 28, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Getty Images)

Schumaker’s résumé extends beyond his recent success in the dugout. An 11-year MLB veteran, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Cincinnati Reds, winning a World Series with St. Louis in 2011. His managerial record of 146-178 doesn’t tell the full story—he took over a Marlins club that wasn’t built to contend and still managed to reach the playoffs in his first year.

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What would it take for a change to happen?

Boone remains under contract through 2027, and the Yankees have shown patience with him in the past. But baseball in New York is a results-driven business. Should the team miss the postseason, the internal pressure could reach a breaking point.

For now, Schumaker’s name remains just a speculative option. Yet with his proven ability to overachieve and the Yankees’ aggressive front-office approach, the idea of him managing under the bright lights of Yankee Stadium may not be far-fetched.

If the Yankees’ slide continues, the noise surrounding Boone’s future will only grow louder. And if the Bronx Bombers fail to secure a playoff berth, the offseason could bring more than just roster changes.