The Yankees’ struggles to keep up with the Blue Jays during the regular season had already sparked growing calls for Aaron Boone to be fired. Now, after their playoff run ended abruptly at the hands of those same Blue Jays, the noise has only gotten louder. But wait…

Boone isn’t without defenders, and surprisingly, one of his biggest supporters is none other than Yankees legend Derek Jeter. “I’m not saying this from any inside knowledge, but I’m pretty sure Aaron’s not the one calling every move they make throughout the game.” Jeter hinted that the real decisions might be coming from higher up.

The comment seemed to shift some of the blame toward GM Brian Cashman, suggesting Boone might deserve the benefit of the doubt. Still, not everyone is buying it. TV host Stephen A. Smith questioned Jeter’s stance and renewed his own call for the Yankees to make a firm decision on Boone’s future. “One would assume that when Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter open their mouth in such a critical fashion about the New York Yankees, particularly with the specifics of what they articulated, they’re talking about Brian Cashman, the GM for the New York Yankees… And it’s worth noting that both A-Rod and Jeter don’t necessarily have the greatest relationship in the world.”

Remember, the tension between Jeter and Brian Cashman dates back to 2010. Reportedly, Jeter’s contract was up, and Cashman reportedly told him he’d rather have Troy Tulowitzki at shortstop. That moment marked the start of their rocky relationship. And according to Smith, it could explain why Cashman is taking most of the heat now, while Aaron Boone seems to be getting a pass.

However, Smith believes Boone’s still managing the Yankees mainly because of Cashman’s backing. So, in his view, even if Cashman gets the boot, Boone’s days are numbered. Eventually, the new leadership would likely replace him anyway. “So if Cashman goes, Boone goes. And a lot of people in the world believe the only reason Boone is still there is because Cash is there.” Stephen A. Smith said.

In short, Jeter’s frustration appears to be aimed squarely at Cashman, while Smith isn’t buying it. He’s made it clear that Boone deserves to face the music, too.

And amid these firing calls, Boone’s own disastrous calls are helping in the case. For instance, continuing with Anthony Volpe despite his struggles proved costly for the team. Volpe is now the first Yankee to ever strike out nine times with zero hits in a three-game postseason stretch!

Troubling roads ahead for the Yankees and Boone

Amid all the noise, the Yankees still haven’t made any official announcement about Boone’s future. For the unversed, he’s been at the helm since 2018, and to his credit, he’s kept the team in playoff contention in seven of his eight seasons. So it’s not that his tenure has been only full of disappointments.

That said, managing the Yankees comes with a different standard. In New York, anything short of a championship ring doesn’t cut it. The franchise hasn’t won a World Series since 2009. And until Boone can deliver one, questions about his job security are bound to linger, especially after another disappointing finish.

And now, adding fuel to the fire are rumors that Jeter could step in to replace him. While there’s no verified news about this, Jeter’s brand value in New York could be something beneficial to tap into. But Jeter’s track record as Marlins CEO, with a .218 winning percentage, doesn’t exactly make a strong case for him right now.

So, at this point, there’s no real indication that he’s headed for the New York Yankees’ dugout anytime soon. And till some concrete news cracks up, Boone might be here in New York.