Why Lockout Could Cause Yankees Not to Fire Aaron Boone

Major League Baseball's lockout figures to affect nearly everybody in the league, something the New York Yankees will unfortunately find out the hard way. 

The Yankees were embarrassed by the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS, getting swept by a very good but beatable team with the Yankees' roster. 

It feels like another season the Yankees let go to waste, and that can't keep happening.

I personally don't believe they need to move on from manager Aaron Boone, but I'm one of the few who do. 

Most Yankees fans want the skipper gone, something that would hopefully change up some of the Yankees' struggles when it matters most. 

Ultimately, I can't place much blame on Boone, other than that he chose to lead off Trent Grisham instead of Ben Rice. 

That move looked wrong in the moment, and it was after the game.

As for how that lockout could have an impact on Boone, it's very possible that the Yankees don't want to get rid of him not only because of his contract, but because of the fact that if the Yankees do face a lockout, players aren't going to be able to speak to teams, which would mean that New York has to hire a manager and then get him up to speed with a lot of these guys without a real offseason.

“Boone’s two-year contract extension expires at the end of next season. He finished this year without winning a World Series — the same way he finished all of his previous eight seasons as Yankees manager. For the fourth time, Boone’s season ended in the ALDS, the most common outcome for teams under his watch…

“Plus, a lockout is looming. Starting Dec. 1, when an MLB lockout is expected to begin, teams won’t be allowed to have contact with players. When there’s a new collective bargaining agreement and the game opens back up, would the Yankees want a new manager who is trying to get up to speed with players for the first time? What if spring training is shortened? And, of course, Cashman and Steinbrenner have offered nothing but public support for Boone over the years,” Brendan Kuty of The Athletic wrote on Thursday.

If the Yankees fired Boone, the best time would be right now. The Yankees would then have to start searching for their next manager, though it could give them time to at least get familiar with who they want to bring in. 

There are so many other factors at play here, including one that has to be brought up with Aaron Judge and others making these decisions. 

Ultimately, if the Yankees decide to go in a different direction, they have to run it by Judge first and make sure he's okay with who they bring in. People can disagree with that, but it's going to be what happens.