BRONX, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 21: Yankees principal owner Hal Steinbrenner speaks during a press conference at Yankee Stadium on December 21, 2022 in Bronx, New York. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
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The New York Yankees face perennial World Series expectations and with those can come some significant pressure on the coaching staff.
Despite performing as one of the best teams in the American League to open the year and then earning a playoff bid and a wild card series victory over the Boston Red Sox, Yankees manager Aaron Boone saw significant speculation over his job security this past season. And he will surely be in the hot seat again next year should the team fall short of a championship once again.
With expectations so high and the manager job virtually always in question, it shouldn’t be a surprise that speculation arose immediately about a return to the dugout for franchise icon Don Mattingly, who left his coaching role with the Toronto Blue Jays shortly after they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic.
“The former captain resigned as the Blue Jays’ bench coach, but he made it clear to the New York Post he’s not ready to retire,” per NJ.com’s Bob Klapisch. “That gives the Yankees a wide-open shot at bringing in a franchise icon. Mattingly could serve as manager Aaron Boone’s right-hand man, checking every box as in-game advisor, a relatable staff member and a bridge to the old-school era.”
But in his initial comments about what his career plans are following the Blue Jays exit, Mattingly sidestepped a question about potentially joining the Yankees’ staff.
“I don’t know,” Mattingly said when asked if he’d return to the Yankees in any coaching capacity, according to a video from New York Post Sports.
Mattingly rejected the idea of joining the Colorado Rockies as their new manager outright, so leaving the door open to a potential return with the Yankees could be read as a positive sign. But he made it clear that he hasn’t evaluated any kind of specific offer for a Yankees return as he fleshed out his answer.
“I think at this point I just want to just chill and figure out what I want to do,” Mattingly added. “I think you just kind of wake up today, take everything in, try and relax from the season and just try to see what comes up and what balances the family and work.”
Mattingly will likely be having conversations with interested clubs in the coming days. It isn’t a sure thing that the Yankees will be offering him a spot on Boone’s staff, but it can’t be ruled out either.