3 managers Yankees could’ve hired better than Aaron Boone

Yankees could’ve hired Mike Shildt

The Cardinals shocked all of baseball by firing Shildt, a capable manager who had led them to the postseason each of the past three years. Shildt and the Cardinals cited a difference in philosophies for the departure:

"“Clearly there were differences that led to this parting of ways, but out of respect for the organization and people that run it, I can only express my gratitude. Regardless of how challenging the conversations were, it was always about what’s best for the Cardinals and the St. Louis Cardinals organization, and maintaining the very high standards of the organization, on and off the field.”"

Assuming the Cardinals also prefer the new-school approach that the Yankees employ, they wouldn’t have gone for Shildt’s old-school philosophy either.

However, citing Shildt as old school and nothing more is lazy. This doesn’t mean he was unwilling to listen to the analytics department on anything. Perhaps he just trusted his gut a little more than a mathematical formula. There’s nothing wrong with that, and it’s provided Shildt success more times than not.

The Cardinals were building something, and they punted on it in preference of something better — what that is, as of now, we don’t quite know.

He would’ve been a good fit in New York, assuming they could’ve aligned on some of the same values.