In a lengthy conversation with reporters at the GM Meetings, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman addressed the Mets potential search for a free agent Juan Sotosaid the Yanks had checked in Pete Alonsoadmitted that the team underperformed in the World Series and responded to criticism from the Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly.
Here’s more of what the old GM had to say from San Antonio on Tuesday…
Deadline on Aaron Boone‘s option is approaching
The Yankees have an option on Boone’s contract through the 2025 season and determining whether the Yankees should exercise that option to retain the manager or work out a long-term extension is “clearly on the list of things we have to do,” Cashman said.
He added: “Obviously we have a little more time there and those conversations will probably start in the coming days.”
When asked if he expects to pick up that option, the GM said he would let the entire process play out. “I’m a big fan of Aaron Boone, I think he’s a great manager and we were fortunate to have him,” Cashman said. “But obviously let’s go through the process and have the conversations that haven’t yet been had with the people above me.”
When asked specifically about discussing an extension with Boone, the general manager said that “all these things will be discussed,” but that he “can’t put the cart before the horse, we haven’t gotten there yet, so we We don’t have those discussions yet.”
He added: “I think he’s a very, very good manager.”
Cashman believed the deadline to exercise the option is 10 days after the World Series.
The GM added that they will make decisions on Boone’s coaching staff for next season after dealing with the manager.
Gleyber Torres‘ future and options at second base
The 28-year-old has played 888 games for New York over the past seven years, including 601 at second base. But last season, Torres led the league with 18 errors — a year after committing 15 — and struggled offensively before finding some footing in the leadoff hole, finishing the campaign with a pedestrian 101 OPS+ and 104 wRC+.
When asked about improvements at second base, Cashman noted that there is “a vacancy currently” at the position, with Torres being a free agent, giving the Yankees several ways to approach the offseason.
‘What are our internal options? Is that moving? Jazz [Chisholm Jr.] to second base if you don’t re-sign Gleyber?” he said of the trade deadline acquisition, who had to immediately learn to play third base in the second half of last season.
‘Are you moving him to the second? Look Caleb DurbinIs your internal candidate coming forward?” Cashman continued. “Are there any external candidates you see that you can import as a free agent that might not be Gleyber if it’s not Gleyber? Maybe you’ll bring Gleyber back? Is there a trade candidate? Our job is to evaluate everything and then see how it fits in with the rest of the roster. Those are things we’re going to do.”
When asked about Chisholm potentially playing centerfield for the Yankees (he made 192 starts there for the Miami Marlins over the past two seasons), Cashman said he had not had any conversations with Yankee evaluators about his suitability for the position there, adding: “I would say I prefer him in the infield, but I know he can play in the outfield too.”
About Torres, the General Manager called him a good baseball player and “one of the reasons we got this far last year,” but that he did not “dissect” his strengths and weaknesses when asked if his fielding problems would prevent a reunion . .
“He’ll be having a lot of conversations with a lot of teams that have needs in that area and maybe us too, you know, who knows,” Cashman said. But I appreciate his efforts while he was here and he went the route we needed him to. Then again, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, but I’m not going to parse what’s best moving forward.
“We’re obviously going to make the best decisions we can based on what’s available inside or outside. We can import a third baseman and transfer Jazz, we can promote from within with a guy like Caleb Durbin, who is crushing it in the Arizona Fall League. We may see some trade opportunities or free agents. I’m just not sure what we’re going to do yet. But I want to thank Gleyer for the time he was here, without closing doors on a reunion.”
The 24-year-old Durbin was acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Braves in December 2022. In 82 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (his first at that level), he had 23 doubles, 10 home runs and 60 RBI with a .287/.396/.471 slash line for an .867 OPS.
On Jasson Dominguez‘s path to the Opening Day roster
The season did not go the way the Yankees hoped for their top prospect. After Tommy John surgery last fall, Dominguez’s return to the field was limited by an oblique injury. When he did arrive in the Majors in September, inconsistent play in left field and inconsistent at-bats limited his playing time.
As for the 21-year-old making the 2025 Opening Day roster, that depends on the Yankees’ offseason as they “evaluate all opportunities” for the outfield.
“Obviously Dominguez has missed a lot of time this past year, we’re happy to have him here with us,” Cashman said. “He is in a position to potentially take a spot, but then we have to compare that with what else is available to us and make those decisions as well.
“I’m not saying he’s guaranteed a job in November, whatever day it is. We’ll wait and see how our winter goes and what twists and turns come our way.”
