Just a few weeks ago, New York sat atop the AL East. On Friday, the Yankees blew a 6-0 lead and lost 13-12, with three of their newly acquired trade deadline relievers giving up multiple earned runs.

Boone also opted against benching Austin Wells when he cost the Yankees an out in a recent game by forgetting the outs. He didn’t bench rookie Jorbit Vivas for not sliding into third base when he was out tagging up from second on a long flyball in Atlanta right after the All-Star break.

"We're the Yankees," Boone said. "When we lose games, if it's in and around a mistake, that criticism is fair game."