New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner believes his team fell short in the postseason again because the players didn't deliver.
"The bottom line is the players didn't live up to their end of the bargain in the playoffs," Steinbrenner said Wednesday at the club's season-ending press conference, according to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic.
The Yankees' championship drought extended to 17 years after they were swept by the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS. New York scored just five runs in three games against its AL East rival.
The Bronx Bombers stumbled in the playoffs after winning 93 games with an AL-best plus-138 run differential during the regular season.
"I know how upset our fans are, but believe me, we're going to be doing everything we can," Steinbrenner added.
Steinbrenner also confirmed that manager Aaron Boone will be returning for 2027 for his final year under contract and that longtime general manager Brian Cashman has agreed to a new deal.
"I don't think you can pin the season and the unacceptable end to it on Aaron (Boone). I don't think you can pin it on (Brian Cashman)," Steinbrenner said, per Greg Joyce of the New York Post.
Steinbrenner acknowledged the Yankees had "a week-long conversation" about Boone's status before deciding he wasn't part of the problem, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. The skipper, who owns a 790-565 record over nine seasons with the team, hasn't discussed a contract extension.
Three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge missed all of the postseason and 96 games during the regular season because of multiple injuries.
Judge urged the front office to "go all-in" after the Yankees were swept from the postseason two weeks ago.
