Boone expects Yankees to win in 2019
‘Top of the mountain’ in sight after 100-62 year.
Aaron Boone TAMPA, FLA. — kept tuning into postseason games, even after his New York Yankees were eliminated by Boston, and he watched the Red Sox win the World Series.
“I don’t know if it was to torture myself or what,” the New York manager said Wednesday as pitchers and catchers reported for spring training. “You put this hat on and this uniform on, to get to wear a big league uniform, you shouldn’t need much motivation, but to watch a team that you know so well that’s certainly one of your rivals celebrate where you want to be, I think that adds a little fuel to the fire, certainly.”
The Yankees went 10062 in Boone’s first season as manager, their best record since winning the 2009 World Series, and Boone thinks this team could be better following the additions of left-hander James Paxton, reliever Adam Ottavino, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and infielder D J LeMahieu.
“I feel like as we sit in here in early February on paper we probably look a little bit strong,” he said. “Hopefully this year get to the top of the mountain.”
Expectations are always high with the Yankees.
There’s no question, we’ll embrace those,” Boone said. “I think everyone that’s been here a while and certainly the new guys coming in I think understand what goes along with having the kind of club we potentially have and being within this organization that the expectations are great. We welcome that.”
Moving forward
Reliever Danny Farquhar’s comeback from a brain hemorrhage stemming from a ruptured aneurysm last April 20 is progressing well.
In camp with a minor league contract, the righthander says he is feeling great and will be getting his customized pitching helmet Thursday — three days before his 32nd birthday. He had a bullpen session Tuesday and plans another for Friday.
Ellsbury excused
Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who didn’t play last season due to a number of injuries, will not report for at least the next couple weeks after experiencing plantar fasciitis during his rehab program following hip surgery.
“It’s really slowed him in his ability to really break through and get to where he needs to be,” Boone said. So, he hasn’t been able to start the baseball activity stuff.”
Star power
Spring training instructors include new Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera, Reggie Jackson, Ron Guidry, Bernie Williams, Andy Pettitte, Hideki Matsui, Tino Martinez, Willie Randolph, Carlos Beltran, Nick Swisher, Lee Mazzilli, Alfonso Soriano and Stump Merrill.