Tuesday marked the first spring training press conference for the New York Yankees, where Aaron Boone took the opportunity to address key concerns about the third base position.
But beyond it, he also said how the Yankees could maintain the edge that helped propel the Yankees to the World Series last season, as last year the team ended in the final, losing the biggest trophy to the Dodgers. Boone had been mulling it over for weeks.
Yankees’ drive for success
Last year, the Yankees entered camp with a chip on their shoulder, many arriving early after missing the 2023 postseason in what GM Brian Cashman deemed a “disaster.” Players worked out all winter at the minor league complex, determined to erase that failure. Some showed up in the best shape of their careers. The hunger to redeem themselves was palpable.
Now, coming off an American League pennant, that same intensity might not come as naturally.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about this, really over the last month,” Boone said Tuesday in his first spring training press conference. “You can have great culture, great professionalism, a close-knit team—but sometimes the separator between good and great, between great and a champion, is that hunger. And that’s not a given.”
Boone was visibly passionate about the topic.
“Even with the best people and teams, last year we had that edge. We had a hunger, maybe because of missing the playoffs. That showed early in camp,” he said. “What I’m seeing so far across the street encourages me—the focus, the commitment. But we have to work at that every day. We have to fight for that.”
Third base battle heats up
With Jasson Dominguez likely the starting left fielder, third base remains the Yankees’ biggest question mark. Internally, the team sees it as a competition between DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Oswaldo Cabrera unless someone clearly outplays the others.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. has the ability to play third, but Boone prefers him at second. The Yankees also explored external options, including Alex Bregman earlier in the offseason, but ultimately allocated those funds elsewhere. Despite speculation, sources confirm they never seriously pursued a trade for Nolan Arenado.
Boone doesn’t view third base as a weakness but rather an opportunity.
“We know what DJ is capable of, and he’s outstanding defensively,” Boone said. “Oswaldo will get a real shot, Peraza too. Jorbit Vivas is in the mix. If someone steps up and grabs the job, great. If it’s a timeshare, that’s fine too.”
Boone has been hyping LeMahieu as a viable everyday third baseman, provided he stays healthy.
“A lot of people are counting out DJ,” Boone told NJ Advance Media recently. “Not long ago, he was one of the best hitters in the AL. His struggles are health-related. If he’s healthy, that great hitter is still in there.”
LeMahieu, 36, had the worst season of his career in 2024, batting .204 with a .527 OPS in 67 games. A strong spring could change his outlook, but Boone acknowledges nothing is guaranteed.
“If you tell me DJ is a key contributor in June, I wouldn’t be surprised,” Boone said. “If he’s healthy, he can still be a difference-maker.”
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