Let us begin this article with a crucial caveat: despite their troubles, the New York Yankees have a 55-37 record, the top wild-card berth, and a 98% likelihood of making the playoffs, according to Fangraphs.
That being said, the season is starting to feel a lot like 2023, when the team ended 82-80, missed the playoffs, and manager Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman were heavily scrutinized. And if these feelings morph into end-of-season disappointment — say, an early playoff exit — would Boone’s tenure as manager end, and, more importantly, will the Yankees make a move for Alex Cora, the Boston Red Sox manager who does not have a contract for next season?
RESTORING GLORY
Crazy things have happened, but one thing is certain: Cora has proven to be one of the game’s top managers. Cora’s career record is 489-410, with a World Series and two playoff appearances. But, after two consecutive playoff-less seasons, Cora has the Red Sox at 49-40, surpassing many preseason forecasts as Boston remained quiet in free agency and appeared to be in a transitional year.
Boone has a 564-398 record over six seasons and has made five playoff appearances, including the ALCS in 2019. However, he has yet to lead the Yankees to a World Series championship.
Chris Cotillo of MassLive wrote on July 7 that the “overwhelming belief in industry circles is that (Cora) won’t return, instead hitting managerial free agency and finding a lucrative deal with a team willing to pay him a big contract.”
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