Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton impressed with Aaron Boone's address to team

The Yankees hired first-year manager Aaron Boone with a distinct motive. 

Of course, the organization is longing to take that next step forward -- to return to championship contention -- and they believe that Boone, who's considered to be an exceptional communicator and baseball mind, is best suited for the task.

But the Yankees' new skipper doesn't just want his players to embrace this season's lofty expectations. He also wants them to grasp the values and benefits of an efficient month of preparation. 

That was Boone's message to the club on Monday morning, prior to their first full-squad workout at Steinbrenner Field.

“I just wanted to stress the importance of spring training. I believe we have a very good team, a team with a lot of potential but understanding that’s what it is right now,’’ Boone told George King of the New York Post. “Spring training is a time when we are trying to get individuals ready, but also a time where we will grind away on the little things to add to the margins.

“We want to go from a good team to a championship-caliber team, and I think you do that by doing the little things."

Yankees' slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who happened to call himself "a deer in headlights" while speaking to the press following Monday's workout, was also pleased with Boone's message and candor.

“It was awesome. He got straight to it, to the point of what we exactly need to do,’’ Stanton said. “The focus for spring and the focus leading up to the year, and it’s going to be a good one.’’

According to King, Boone wasn't afraid to admit that he soaked in the moment. 

“It meant a lot to me," Boone said. "I would say it was special to me to stand up in front of guys who I already have a lot of respect for and I feel like it was really important. Even though I addressed the pitchers and catchers, not as in depth as I did today, but it felt important to get this first step and that kind of connection and kind of launch spring training. It was something I won’t forget. It was one of the [most fun] things I got to do in the job so far.’’

The Yankees will host the Detroit Tigers in their first spring training game this Friday (1 p.m.) at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

If you want to connect with Tom Hanslin, email him at thanslin@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @tomhanslin.