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New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone has attempted to pour cold water on the assertion that he does not make his team’s starting lineups. Historically, Major League Baseball managers are tasked with submitting their team’s lineups each game. Other figures inside the organization can have suggestions or input, but the final call is up to the manager. Los Angeles Dodgers head coach Dave Roberts confirmed this during an interview in 2020.

Speculation about starting lineups in New York came to a head after Derek Jeter’s remarks in October. Following the team’s postseason defeat to the Toronto Blue Jays, the former Yankees great hinted that Boone does not call in-game shots for the club. “Look, I’m not saying it from any inside knowledge, but I’m pretty sure Aaron’s not the one that’s calling every move they make throughout the game,” claimed Jeter.

A few months later, YES Network’s Michael Kay appeared to back up Jeter’s comments. Nevertheless, both Boone and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman have rejected these claims. In fact, Cashman has even told The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner that the notion “irritates the f— out” of him. Both coach and exec maintain that Boone is in charge of choosing the team’s starting lineup each game.

Kirschner reports that Boone ultimately selects his lineup alongside Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus. According to the manager, he maps out hitting and pitching matchups before a series begins. Boone claims that his lineup is picked the night before a game about 90% of the time. Minor injuries or illnesses can affect the timing of the call during the other 10%.

Aaron Boone Does Receive Lineup Input From New York Yankees Officials at Times

GettyThe 2026 season could help determine Aaron Boone’s future with the Yankees.

Although Boone and Cashman reject assertions that the front office controls starting lineups, the manager did admit to seeking advice sometimes. According to Kirschner’s report, the only time the front office is involved in the situation is when Boone specifically asks for advice. Cashman, or any other front office official, does not apparently initiate talks regarding lineups.

Boone will be hoping that his decisions work out in 2026. Despite having an impressive 58% win rate as the Yankees manager since 2018, the coach has failed to win a World Series title. With Boone at the helm, New York has qualified for the playoffs in seven of the last eight seasons. During this stretch, the Yankees have only managed to make the World Series just once, though

New York has not won a World Series Since 2009

Because of these postseason failures, Boone’s future with the team could hinge on the upcoming season. In fact, CBS Sports recently named Boone as one of the top six managers on the hot seat. The coach is currently signed through the 2027 season. Nevertheless, a disappointing upcoming campaign could force Yankees management to make a change.

New York mostly frustrated their fan base by essentially bringing back the same players for 2026. Despite this, MLB.com has predicted that the club will win the American League East this season. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden also recently rated the Yankees to have the second-best lineup in all of baseball. Boone and the team cannot have any excuses if the upcoming season does not go their way.

Christopher Moore Christopher Moore has been a Heavy.com contributor since 2025. With over a decade of experience in the industry, he has published thousands of articles reporting on multiple professional sports. He was previously a sports writer for World Soccer Talk, the Yahoo! Contributor Network, and the Maryland Sports Blog. More about Christopher Moore

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