With pitchers and catchers reporting Wednesday morning, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone held his first press conference of the young 2020 season. Boone covered an abundance of topics, ranging from the addition of free agent Gerrit Cole to the Houston Astros sign-stealing saga. Here are the bullet points from Boone’s conference.
Aaron Boone on Gerrit Cole:
Over the winter, the Yankees acquired Gerrit Cole to be the ace of the Yankees rotation. With CC Sabathia retiring and James Paxton starting the season on the IL, Boone believes Cole can be that anchor at the top of the pitching staff.
Aaron Boone on Gerrit Cole: “We just feel like he’s that anchor at the top. When you have an ace, it’s not only the greatness they provide that day.”
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) February 12, 2020
Cole threw his first bullpen on Wednesday morning, which went as well as you’d expect.
Aaron Boone on the Houston Astros Buzzgate:
Major League Baseball dropped the hammer on the Houston Astros over the winter following an investigation regarding illegal sign stealing. Many players didn’t take the Buzzgate news lightly, but Boone had a different approach to Buzzgate.
Aaron Boone on if he’s convinced the Astros weren’t wearing devices during last year’s ALCS:
“No. That’s certainly one of those great unknowns…I don’t really dwell on things I am unable to control…I look at it now as it’s time to move on and look forward” pic.twitter.com/WaLjP330IT
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) February 12, 2020
While Boone is ready to move on, he added he is okay with his players expressing their feelings towards Buzzgate. However, he would like his team to focus on the 2020 season as the days roll by in camp.
Aaron Boone on Domingo German:
When asked about Domingo German, Boone mentioned German was in the Dominican Republic. German is not expected to join the team during Spring Training, but he is working out at the Yankees complex in DR.
Boone says Domingo German is in the Dominican Republic. Boone saw him when he was with the organization looking at younger players. They spoke but NYY don’t plan on him being in Spring Training. He’s been working out at the team’s complex in DR & thinks he can get ready there
— Dan Federico (@DanJFederico) February 12, 2020
German is currently serving a suspension under Major League Baseball’s Domestic Violence policy, and will not be reinstated until June.
Aaron Boone on James Paxton:
Just a week before pitchers and catchers reported, James Paxton underwent back surgery to remove a peridiscal cyst. The injury is slated to keep Paxton out until June at the latest. When asked about Paxton’s road to the surgery, it was revealed the injury began at the end of last season.
Team doctors recommended Paxton undergo cortisone shots but decided on surgery in an attempt to nip the injury in the bud. Boone said Paxton is healing well, but it could be another three to four weeks before he starts throwing again.
“Early returns are good” on James Paxton’s surgery, Boone said. Still a couple weeks before he could start throwing, Boone said.
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) February 12, 2020
Aaron Boone on replacing Paxton in the rotation:
Boone acknowledged there are plenty of in-house options to replace Paxton, but labeled Jordan Montgomery as the front runner due to previous success. However, he is open to competition.
Boone believes the Yankees have a lot of in house options to replace Paxton in the rotation. Said Jordan Montgomery “has the inside track” due to past success but it’s open for competition
— Dan Federico (@DanJFederico) February 12, 2020
Aaron Boone on Giancarlo Stanton:
Regarding Stanton, Boone revealed he is currently healthy but is unsure how much playing time Stanton will have in the outfield. He believes a fair amount of Stanton’s playing time will be as the DH.
Boone said he’s confident Giancarlo Stanton is healthy, unsure how often he’ll play LF/RF/DH. Boone said there would be a “fair amount” of DH time for Stanton, probably.
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) February 12, 2020
Aaron Boone on Gleyber Torres:
With Didi Gregorius heading to the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason, Gleyber Torres will slot back into the shortstop position. Boone said Torres is happy to play shortstop, and that his maturity along with his seriousness in his craft will help him develop as a player.
Boone says Gleyber Torres is “excited to go home” to SS. “His intelligence, continued improvement from day one in the big leagues until now, his maturity, his preparedness, how serious he takes things” are great assets of his and will help him continue to grow as a player
— Dan Federico (@DanJFederico) February 12, 2020
