Yankees lose top manager candidate to Red Sox in shocking twist

The New York Yankees have lost a respected member of their organization to their biggest MLB rival.

Shelley Duncan, who had been managing in the Yankees' minor league system, is joining the Boston Red Sox's major-league coaching staff.

The move could have implications beyond the coaching staffs, as Duncan brings years of experience working with New York's young players and had been viewed as a potential candidate to replace Aaron Boone after the 2027 season.

The Boston Red Sox hire Shelley Duncan, the son of famed pitching coach Dave Duncan, to their major-league staff, per @ChrisCotillo, @Sean_McAdam.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 5, 2026

Duncan's departure is another notable development in an offseason that could bring changes to both organizations.

For the Yankees, losing an experienced minor league manager to Boston is an especially frustrating outcome.

Boston is hiring Duncan to join manager Chad Tracy's major-league coaching staff, although his exact role has not yet been announced.

The 47-year-old spent the past four seasons managing the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate.

Duncan was named International League Manager of the Year in 2025 after guiding Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to a successful season.

He also has previous coaching and managerial experience with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago White Sox organizations.

The move represents a significant opportunity for Duncan, who will now get to work at the major-league level.

It also means Boston is bringing in someone with extensive familiarity with the Yankees organization.

Duncan has spent years working with players throughout New York's farm system, including prospects who have since become important contributors at the major-league level.

That experience could be valuable to the Red Sox as they evaluate the young talent coming through their biggest rival's organization.

Perhaps the most interesting part of Duncan's departure is what it could mean for the Yankees' future managerial situation.

Duncan had emerged as a potential candidate to eventually replace Boone after the 2027 season.

With his success managing in the minor leagues and his familiarity with the organization, he was viewed as someone who could potentially move into a larger leadership role in New York.

Instead, he will now be working for the Red Sox.

A seven-year veteran, Duncan played outfield and designated hitter for the Yankees, Cleveland, and the Tampa Bay Rays.

After his playing days ended in 2014, Duncan moved into coaching, becoming the Low-A manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate.

After spending two seasons in Low-A and another one in High-A, Duncan was promoted to Double-A manager, where he won the 2018 Southern League Championship with the Jackson Generals.

After the 2018 season, the Toronto Blue Jays hired Duncan as major league field coordinator.

After two seasons in Toronto, the Chicago White Sox hired Duncan as analytics coordinator.

Duncan returned to the minor leagues in 2023, joining the team that drafted him, the Yankees, as Triple-A manager.

Under Duncan's leadership, Scranton-Wilkes-Barre went 327-263.

The former outfielder was named the 2025 International League Manager of the Year.

Like Bell, Duncan's role on the staff is unclear.

The team has openings at both first- and third-base coach positions after reassigning interim coaches Chad Epperson and Pablo Cabrera to different positions in the organization.

The coaching changes continue for the Red Sox.

The Boston Red Sox coaching staff is continuing to take shape.

A week after hiring Houston Astros fielding coordinator Jason Bell as outfield instructor, Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive.com report that the Red Sox are hiring New York Yankees Triple-A manager Shelley Duncan to join manager Chad Tracy's staff.

In other Red Sox news, after designating reliever Eduardo Rivera for assignment on Monday, the 23-year-old left-hander was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday in exchange for 18-year-old pitching prospect Juan Carlos Garcia.

Rivera spent most of the season in Triple-A, posting a 2.96 ERA in 24 appearances and striking out 27.7 percent of the batters he faced.

While Garcia made 11 starts in the Dominican Summer League, posting a 4.40 ERA, striking out 39 and walking 10.

Red Sox infield prospect Antonio Anderson has been a standout in the Arizona Fall League.

In 16 games for the Mesa Solar Sox, the 21-year-old is hitting .361/.500/.623/1.123 with three home runs and five doubles, driving in 20 runs, leading Mesa in all seven categories.

Anderson earned a spot on the American League Fall-Star team for his performance.

The Arizona League Fall-Star Game is set for Sunday at 8:00 p.m. ET and will air on MLB Network.

In addition to being named a Fall-Star, Anderson will participate in the AFL Home Run Derby.