NEW YORK — Together with his contract scenario now settled by means of 2025, Aaron Boone’s first order of enterprise includes a aircraft ticket. The Yankees supervisor plans to jet to California subsequent week to take part in a high-stakes assembly with Juan Soto, agent Scott Boras and managing basic companion Hal Steinbrenner.
“As I’ve stated all 12 months, what Juan did for us between the traces was fairly particular, and [he] put collectively a exceptional season,” Boone stated Monday throughout a Zoom convention name. “However equally, I used to be simply impressed with the individual. Actually attending to know him and attending to handle him was a pleasure.
“I actually would like to have him again, clearly. I would like him in pinstripes transferring ahead. However you additionally know there’s going to be lots of people competing for that, and who is aware of the place it finally ends up?”
What sort of full-court press may Soto require? He has already skilled what a full 162-game season in New York would look, sound and really feel like, together with overtures from followers within the right-field seats waving clean checks in his path. The journey to the World Collection by the group additionally stays recent within the minds of all concerned.
Boone stated he’ll seemingly level to his relationship with Soto, together with the power to have “sincere conversations with him.”
“Hopefully it’ll cement the purpose of how beneficial and the way a lot we consider him, not solely as a participant, however as an individual,” Boone stated. “I acquired to stay that with him this 12 months. That might be my gross sales pitch; [discuss] how a lot we would like him, however let the assembly go the place it goes.”
‘Sting’ nonetheless presentAs Boone spoke, he sat behind his desk within the bowels of Yankee Stadium, his fielders’ glove with “AB 17” stitched on the facet seen past his left shoulder. Twelve days prior, Boone had worn that glove to play catch forward of a World Collection sport; now, he was as soon as once more dissecting a end that got here up three wins brief.
“As I stated to our guys, this stays with you most likely perpetually — the sting of not ending it off,” Boone stated. “I’ve talked concerning the ’19 playoffs and never getting by means of that. These are issues that sting. That wound remains to be there, if you get near the highest of the mountain.”
Boone stated that he was “a bit of bit” bothered by among the Dodgers’ criticism within the final week-plus, particularly reliever Joe Kelly, who stated that the Yankees fell wanting different contenders by way of their baserunning and defensive self-discipline.
“The underside line is, we didn’t play in addition to we may have,” Boone stated.
‘Martian’ touchdown?Boone stated that he expects prime prospect Jasson Domínguez to “be a giant a part of what we do that coming 12 months,” although it hasn’t been determined if Domínguez will see most of his time in left or middle area.
A lot of that hinges upon Soto’s potential return, a potential transfer again to proper area for Aaron Decide, in addition to different additions the Yankees may make.
“I proceed to be tremendous enthusiastic about Jasson’s future,” Boone stated. “I’m in that camp of people who assume he’s going to be an incredible large league participant. I like his make-up. I like his expertise.”
Boone additionally spoke extremely of infield prospect Caleb Durbin, who’s placing forth a superb efficiency within the Arizona Fall League.
“I feel he’s a stud, frankly,” Boone stated. “Nice bat-to-ball [skill], elite skill on the bases as a basestealer and a superb defender in the midst of the diamond at second base.”
Past 2025The Yankees picked up Boone’s contractual choice for 2025, believed to be valued near $3 million, on Friday. He stated that there have been no discussions to this point about an extension past that deal.
“There’s plenty of unfastened ends to tie up organizationally, so we’ll see what unfolds,” Boone stated. “However both method, I’m ready and able to go, and excited for 2025.”
There shall be at the very least one change to Boone’s teaching workers in 2025, and probably two, he stated. Boone stated he was not ready to debate these strikes publicly, saying that he believes the workers shall be “largely intact” from ’24.