Report: Steinbrenner leaning toward keeping Boone as Yankees manager

New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner doesn't blame Aaron Boone for the team's wild-card loss to the Boston Red Sox and is considering keeping him on as manager, sources told Buster Olney of ESPN.

Steinbrenner reportedly believes subpar player performance was the main culprit behind a disappointing 2021 campaign.

Some members of the organization are critical of the way Boone manages the Yankees, including his methods for addressing player performance when the club is struggling and his bullpen management, reports Olney.

Boone, who owns a 328-218 record with New York and has made the playoffs every year during his Yankees tenure, isn't under contract for 2022.

Houston Astros bench coach Joe Espada could reportedly be a primary candidate for New York's managerial position should the 48-year-old Boone depart the club.