Boone assure Yankees to douse lame-duck fire: ‘Prepared and ready to go’

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Aaron Boone’s role with the Yankees is now more uncertain than ever in his tenure as manager. Boone first joined the team in December 2017, succeeding Joe Girardi, with an initial three-year deal and a team option for 2021. Before that contract expired, the Yankees renewed Boone’s deal after the Atlanta Braves’ World Series win, offering a similar multi-year commitment.

In a virtual press conference on Monday morning, Boone addressed the uncertainty surrounding his position, maintaining a calm demeanor. He acknowledged that many professionals work under year-to-year contracts, pointing out that this arrangement isn’t unusual across different industries.

“I’m excited to be back, and we’ll see if there’s any more dialogue that goes on,” the Yankees manager said Boone. “I know there’s a lot of loose ends to tie up organizationally, so we’ll see what unfolds. But either way, I’m prepared and ready to go and excited for 2025.”

But Boone is not worried about future after 2025

Yankees manager Aaron Boone remains on a short-term deal with no immediate contract extension discussions in play. Boone is familiar with this kind of contract structure, having managed under similar conditions in 2021 and last season. He first took the Yankees’ helm in 2018, completing his initial contract by the end of 2021 before signing a three-year extension that includes the current option for 2025.

The 2024 season brought the Yankees back to the World Series, though they fell short of the title, leaving Boone’s future uncertain until the recent decision to retain him for another season. Despite the lack of a long-term commitment—a situation that has been unsettling for some managers—Boone appears unbothered, remaining positive about his return and open to possible future conversations.

During his tenure, Boone has led the Yankees to six playoff appearances in seven seasons, though a championship title has yet to materialize. General Manager Brian Cashman has been vocal in his support of Boone’s leadership.

Aaron Boone reflected on the past season and the possibility of contract extensions, noting that in-season discussions on the topic were minimal. He explained that the team’s focus was solely on the daily demands of the playoffs, leaving little room for broader conversations. Boone shared his enthusiasm about returning to manage the Yankees, stating that while there hadn’t been talks about a contract extension with the front office, he remains optimistic and ready to lead the team for the 2025 season.

“I don’t know, there’s just so much going on during the season that it wasn’t really my — it wasn’t something that we were talking about,” Boone said. “I knew it was something for after the season was over, so I didn’t really have necessarily any expectations, especially when you get to the playoffs and you’re grinding through that every day. That’s where the focus went. So, I’m excited to be back, and we’ll see if there’s any more dialogue that goes on, as far as you asked about an extension. We’ll see in that regard, but regardless I’m excited to be back and excited to get to lead this group again.”

He acknowledged that organizational matters, including contract renewals, often arise after the season wraps up, but he’s prepared to proceed regardless of any pending discussions. When asked about managing in 2025 without a long-term contract, Boone expressed comfort with the situation, explaining that many people work year-to-year, a reality he’s experienced firsthand. Boone conveyed gratitude for his role, emphasizing his commitment to the organization, his colleagues, and the players with whom he’s forged strong bonds.

“No, we’re not [having extension discussions],” Boone said. “But I think that said, there’s a lot going on after the season with just, throughout the organization, contracts being up and there’s a lot of work to do that you don’t necessarily get to attend to when you’re going through the playoffs and the World Series. So, I know there’s a lot of loose ends to tie up organizationally.”

Boone’s record includes a .584 winning percentage and playoff appearances in six of his seven seasons as Yankees manager. Although the team has yet to capture a World Series title under his leadership, the Yankees reached the Fall Classic this past season, ultimately losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games. Reflecting on the year, Boone admitted that the World Series loss will linger with him, yet he remains proud of the team’s achievements. He highlighted the resilience shown in bouncing back from a challenging 2023 season, securing the division title, and advancing to the World Series, while also acknowledging the pain of coming so close to the ultimate goal.

“These are things that sting, and that wound is still there, when you get close to the top of the mountain,” he said. “But you always have perspective of the amount of good things that went on this year. Being able to win the division and get back to the playoffs after a really challenging ’23, getting to play in the World Series, but not reaching that ultimate goal when you get close, there’s pain that goes with that.”

Boone expressed pride in his players and the organization, praising their dedication and accomplishments throughout the year.

“Yeah, I mean, here I am,” Boone said. “The reality is there’s tons of people going to work every single day with that existence, where it’s year-to-year. We just had a season where I had that realization this year, that reality this year. We were able to overall put together a strong season and get to the World Series, but the reality is this is the existence a lot of people, not only in baseball, but in life in general, have. I’m excited to be here. I’m excited to be with this organization. I’m excited to work for the people that I get to work under and with, and especially this player group, that so many of them I’ve developed a really strong tie to.”

The Yankees delayed a decision on Boone’s future as they first addressed pressing free-agent matters, ultimately exercising his option within the 10-day post-World Series deadline.

The Yankees are prioritizing key offseason tasks—like expiring contracts and free-agent talks—before considering any long-term deal with manager Aaron Boone. In a recent media session, Boone expressed an understanding of the organization’s approach and emphasized his excitement to lead the team in 2025, regardless of contract specifics.

In terms of recent roster developments, Boone confirmed he wasn’t involved in negotiations with Gerrit Cole, as those talks took place while Boone’s own role was still under consideration. Cole chose to remain with the Yankees through 2028, opting not to test free agency or extend to 2029. Boone expressed his enthusiasm about Cole’s return, praising the ace’s leadership in the rotation and pointing to his adaptability and deep pitching knowledge as traits that could extend his career success well into his 30s.

Boone hints at Yankees’ interest in Sasaki

When asked about potential acquisition targets, Boone addressed rumors surrounding Japanese pitching star Roki Sasaki, who is expected to enter the MLB market this offseason. The 23-year-old right-hander will join as an amateur under MLB’s international signing guidelines, similar to Shohei Ohtani’s entry in 2017.

Boone, though he hasn’t seen Sasaki pitch in person, acknowledged his reputation for electric stuff, including a high-velocity fastball and a powerful splitter. He called Sasaki a “special talent” with major rotation potential. However, addressing rumors linking the Yankees to Sasaki, the manager noted that formal discussions about pursuing him hadn’t begun within the organization.

“He (Roki Sasaki) is really gifted and very young. I think I heard today that he’s right around the same age as Paul Skenes, and obviously already has done quite a bit in Japan. So, we know it’s a unique and special talent, a guy with top of the rotation qualities.” Boone said. “Hopefully we’re in the mix with him, but I really haven’t started to have those kind of conversations even with our organization. We’ve been aware of him for a couple of years, I came across him at some point a couple years ago, but I certainly understand that this is a really, really special talent that’s going to be coming over to major league baseball next year.”

Major League Baseball is on the brink of welcoming Roki Sasaki, who has caught the eye of top teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and New York Mets. According to industry insiders, these organizations are weighing the possibility of pursuing the young right-hander in the upcoming offseason.

Sasaki launched his professional career with the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2021, rapidly emerging as one of Nippon Professional Baseball’s most exciting talents. A member of Japan’s victorious 2023 World Baseball Classic roster, Sasaki played alongside stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who recently celebrated a World Series win. His impressive skill set has earned him consecutive NPB All-Star selections in 2022 and 2023.

Drawing a comparison to top prospect Paul Skenes, Boone acknowledged Sasaki’s proven success in Japan and his potential as a high-impact rotation piece. He emphasized that the Yankees have closely followed Sasaki’s development over the years, recognizing him as an extraordinary talent primed for the transition to MLB.

The Yankees’ choice to keep Boone on a short-term basis reflects their aim to assess the team’s progress after a strong 94-win season. The year saw standout performances, including Aaron Judge’s impressive 58 home runs and Juan Soto’s 41, signaling what the organization hopes will be a lasting partnership between the two powerhouse hitters.

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