The Yankees took over Aaron BooneThe club’s 2025 option last week, ensures he will be in charge again for an eighth season, but there is still no certainty beyond what is already a one-year deal. Boone told Yankees pitching this morning that as of this moment, there are no discussions with the Yankees about an extension that would keep him in the Bronx beyond the 2025 season (video link via SNY). Boone also indicated that there will be at least one change in his coaching staff next year but was unwilling to reveal any names publicly (even via SNY).
The 2024 season was the most successful under Boone, whose club reached the World Series for the first time since 2009, albeit in a losing effort to the Dodgers. The Yankees’ 94 regular-season wins were Boone’s fourth-highest in a single season, but he had never experienced a playoff run like this before.
After that showing, it seemed increasingly likely that Boone would stick around, either through that club option or a new multi-year extension. It’s still possible for the two sides to agree on a long-term plan, but the Yankees have allowed Boone to play out the entire 2021 season as a “bully” manager on a one-year deal with nothing but that season guaranteed until the end of October. .
Boone also touched on many of the season’s main topics, though he usually gave the expected answers. He confirmed that he will be present at the upcoming meeting between owner Hal Steinbrenner, Juan Soto and agent Scott Boras. Boone has spoken publicly about his hopes of being in the market for the star Japanese right-hander. Roki Sasaki but he offered little more than praise for the 23-year-old as a special talent and gift that the organization has been scouting for years.
Perhaps most interesting to Yankees fans, Boone was asked about infield prospect Chase Durbin and gave a positive review, calling him a “stud” and noting that he expects the 24-year-old second baseman/ The third baseman played a “big” role. in the 2025 club. Adding a second baseman or third baseman is expected so far, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. it is possible to enter another position.
It seems unlikely that the Yankees would offer another spot to Durbin, but he is coming off a 2024 season in which he slashed .287/.396/.471 with more walks (12.5%) than strikeouts (9.9%) in 375 Triple-A appearances. of the plate. The former 14th round pick, who came to the Yankees from the Braves in 2022. Lucas Luetge trade, and hit 10 homers and swiped 31 bases in just 82 games with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Boone called Durbin “great ability to hit the ball” and “great ability on the bases” and noted that the club has been working to improve his versatility with reps at second base, shortstop, third base and the outfield because the organization is concerned about Durbin’s chances of making it to the big leagues in the near future. . None of this precludes infield acquisitions over the next few months, but it does make it a virtual certainty that Durbin will be selected from the 40-man roster before next week’s Rule 5 defense deadline.
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