Beginning 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?
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.
Via The Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham:
Cora is signed through the end of the season and he has been careful to say he will wait until then to decide what he does next. He won’t even say he wants to stay with the Sox, which is smart.
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.”
Could it finally come from the Yankees?
