Brad Ausmus deemed Yankees’ potential long-term option at manager, ‘easy pick’ to replace Aaron Boone originally appeared on The Sporting News

The New York Yankees are in the middle of a multiple-month meltdown that could cost long-time manager Aaron Boone his job. If the team cuts bait with Boone after eight seasons, they may not have to take much time finding his replacement.

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Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus has several traits that Brian Cashman could be interested in with his next hire:

A low starting salary, major-league managerial experience, and familiarity with the face of the franchise, Aaron Judge.

FanSided’s Christopher Kline deemed Ausmus a potential long-term option for New York, deeming him an “easy pick” who is “perfectly adequate and safe.”

“The Yankees aren’t exactly known for brave, outside-the-box thinking when it comes to hiring managers. This is an organization steeped in tradition and they like to project a sense of organizational continuity. Boone spent (a brief amount of) time with the Yankees as a player. Brad Ausmus did not, but he is New York’s bench coach, so he’s a familiar face in the clubhouse,” Kline wrote.

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“The 56-year-old is still fairly early in his coaching journey, all things considered, so the Yankees can view him as a long-term option. His established relationship with Aaron Judge and other New York stars ought to help him — both in the interview process and once he assumes Boone’s mantle. Time will tell if Ausmus can succeed with the power of Hal Steinbrenner’s checkbook behind him, but he’s a perfectly adequate and safe option. The easy pick, so to speak.”

Joe Girardi is the Yankees’ safer choice

Yankee fans may not feel Ausmus is up to snuff for the most important coaching job in pro sports. New Yorkers know Joe Girardi is, though, having opened up the new Yankee Stadium with the franchise’s 27th World Series win in his second season.

The Staten Island Advocate’s Michael O’Brien floated Girardi as a potential Boone replacement, among others.

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Truly, though, after three years away from coaching, Girardi returning to the Yankees would be the truest safe option. Not Ausmus.

Girardi can at least provide a respectable resume that includes leading a parade up the Canyon of Heroes. Ausmus went 386-422 in five years as a manager in the AL, split between the Detroit Tigers and Anaheim Angels.

If George Steinbrenner were still around, it’s fair to wonder if Girardi would be back in charge already.