Steinbrenner praises Cashman and Boone

CHICAGO – New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner praised general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone on Wednesday and said he is open to a new contract for slugger Aaron Judge.

Boone got a new three-year deal after New York finished 92-70 this season, losing to Boston in the AL wild-card game. The manager is 328-218 with four postseason appearances over four years in the Bronx, but the Yankees haven’t won the World Series since 2009.

“Why did I rehire Aaron? … I think Aaron is one of the best managers in baseball,” Steinbrenner said at Major League Baseball owners meetings. “He is extremely smart. The players want to play for him. They respect him and want to win for him.”

Steinbrenner has a similar appreciation for Cashman, whom he called one of the best managers in the sport. Cashman is entering the final year of his contract, but Steinbrenner said he doesn’t see 2022 as a crucial year for the veteran team manager.

“Honestly, I’m not thinking that way,” he said. “We’re going to do everything we can, as we like to do every year, to build a championship-caliber team.”

New York had one of the most variant lineups in 2021, but was hit by injuries and inconsistency. He finished 23rd in the majors with a .237 team batting average and 19th with 711 runs scored.

Hitting coach Marcus Thames, his assistant PJ Pilittere and third base coach Phil Nevin were fired at the end of the season.

Steinbrenner said the team plans to adopt performance science, biometrics and technology more than in the past in an effort to improve the offense. Joey Gallo’s comeback in form could help too.

Gallo, who turns 28 on Friday, hit .160 with 13 home runs and 88 strikeouts in 58 games after being acquired through a trade with Texas in July.

“Would I have liked him to play a little better? Yes, of course,” Steinbrenner said. “But I’m not worried about it. They’ll see it next year.”

New York also suffered an uncertain season finale from star right starter Gerrit Cole, who was 1-1 with a 7.64 ERA in his last three starts after returning from a hamstring injury. He lost the wild-card game, allowing two home runs and three runs in just two innings of work.