ORLANDO — With not a lot occurring on the Winter Conferences on Monday afternoon, Aaron Boone held courtroom with reporters for about half an hour inside a ballroom on the Signia by Hilton resort.
There, the supervisor largely dished on matters that he or Brian Cashman had already addressed for the reason that Yankees’ season ended with the ALDS in early October. For instance, Boone reiterated that Ben Rice is at present seen because the Bombers’ first baseman, Gerrit Cole gained’t be prepared for Opening Day, and Spencer Jones has put himself in a “strong position” for a “real look” this spring… relying on a number of different transferring elements inside and out of doors of the Yankees’ roster.
There wasn’t a lot new floor lined.
Nonetheless, Boone did say that he has not performed an energetic half in recruiting Cody Bellinger again to the Yankees. He mentioned that’s how he sometimes approaches free brokers who’ve already donned the pinstripes, as “they know who we are” and “they know what we’re about.”
“When it gets to a point where we’re starting to get down the road or be in conversations, I’ll certainly have those conversations with guys where I see it fit,” Boone mentioned lower than 24 hours after Cashman declined to say if the Yankees have prolonged a proper provide to Bellinger.
Whereas Boone isn’t working the telephones to get Bellinger again within the Bronx, the skipper did restate that he hopes that’s the top outcome.
“Who wouldn’t want a player like that?” Boone mentioned after praising Bellinger’s on-field affect and clubhouse presence.
In fact, there’s no assure that Bellinger comes again, which leads us to some different takeaways from Boone’s press convention.
DOMÍNGUEZ STILL SEEN AS SWITCH-HITTER
If Bellinger returns, he’ll primarily play left area. The probabilities of Jones or Jasson Domínguez being traded would then improve. If not, both teenager might doubtlessly get the job.
Domínguez entered final season because the Yankees’ beginning left-fielder, however he struggled defensively. A switch-hitter, he additionally posted a .569 OPS from the precise aspect of the plate. By season’s finish, he was a seldom-used bench piece whereas Bellinger, Trent Grisham and Aaron Choose locked down the outfield.
Boone nonetheless believes The Martian is usually a viable switch-hitter and risk from the precise aspect. That religion stems from the truth that the 22-year-old, recent off his first full large league season, nonetheless hasn’t performed in {many professional} video games resulting from accidents and the COVID-cancelled 2020 minor league season.
“We’re talking about a very, very young player that didn’t play a ton of minor league baseball, and what suffers from that? The side you don’t hit from as much,” Boone mentioned. “It’s a pure aspect for him. He’s a pure right-handed hitter.
“I don’t think it’s out of the question that at some point that right-handed [swing] catches up to the left side. We’ll see. I think he has the ability to do it.”
Cashman shared comparable hope and reasoning on Sunday with Domínguez having wrapped up an 11-game stint with the Dominican Winter League’s Escogido Baseball Membership. Domínguez didn’t hit notably properly over that stretch, batting .184 with three doubles, however he didn’t make an error in left.
Cashman added that the Yankees’ hitting coaches and outfield coach Luis Rojas gave Domínguez “a whole checklist” of issues to work on and coordinated with Escogido.
GRISHAM’S DEFENSE ISN’T WORRYING BOONE
Grisham, again because the Yankees’ middle fielder after accepting the qualifying provide, didn’t have a powerful defensive season in 2025, based on numerous superior metrics. The 2-time Gold Glover had -2 OAA, -11 DRS and a -3 FRV, all simply career-worsts. In the meantime, his dash pace ranked within the thirty second percentile.
Boone wasn’t apprehensive about any of that, although, insisting the 29-year-old continues to be higher than these numbers would point out. He additionally famous that Grisham performed via a hamstring damage for a bit final season.
“I think overall, you still watch him play the position, and you’re like, ‘Oh, that’s a real center fielder,’” Boone mentioned. “It’s not unrealistic that he gets back to being more in line with that Gold Glove caliber guy with better health, with just having a good offseason.”
Whereas Boone believes Grisham can bounce again, the participant’s dash pace has steadily declined since 2022, when he ranked within the 88th percentile. Grisham has additionally dropped in OAA in every season since 2022, although he didn’t play a lot in 2024.
A COACHING DECISION
With Desi Druschel again because the Yankees’ assistant pitching coach after a season with the Mets, Boone mentioned that Preston Claiborne will fill the position of bullpen coach following Mike Harkey’s departure. Claiborne was the Yankees’ assistant pitching coach final yr, and each he and Druschel had been listed underneath that title when the Yankees not too long ago introduced their teaching employees.
Boone additionally mentioned that no new place has materialized for Pat Roessler, although that might nonetheless occur. Cashman beforehand mentioned that the Yankees would discover a brand new position for Roessler after he was changed as an helping hitting coach earlier this offseason.
