New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone answers questions at a press conference during the 2023 MLB Winter Meetings. Kyle Schwab-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Boone shares high praise for top targets at Winter Meetings

By Tommy Fradenburg | Last updated 12/5/23

The annual Major League Baseball Winter Meetings are underway in Nashville and there's widespread speculation that the New York Yankees want to leave the event with two shiny new pieces: San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto and Japanese starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone spoke with the media on Tuesday and shared his praise for both players.

Aaron Boone on Juan Soto:

"He's as good an offensive player as there is. He is a machine offensively -- on base, power, has accomplished a ton already at a young age. Durable. Has been a central figure in a world championship team. Has come with a lot of fanfare and been one of…
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) December 5, 2023

When asked about the 25-year-old Yamamoto, Boone shared similar praise.

Aaron Boone on Yoshinobu Yamamoto:

"This isn't a nuanced diamond in the rough. I think everyone sees him as a pretty special frontline type starter."
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) December 5, 2023

Soto and Yamamoto would immediately elevate what was an incredibly top heavy roster in 2023.

Outside of Aaron Judge at the plate and Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole on the mound, a combination of injuries and poor play made consistent production from other players difficult for Boone to find — something general manager Brian Cashman has taken a ton of heat for.

In 2023 Soto finished with a .275 batting average in 162 regular season games, two numbers that would have led all Yankees last year.

Yamamoto meanwhile went 17-6 in 24 games, allowing a minuscule 1.16 ERA while striking out 176 batters in 171 innings for the Orix Buffaloes.

If Cashman is able to get the best players on the market not named Shohei Ohtani for his manager, the temperature on Boone's seat will increase significantly heading into the final year of his contact.

Aaron Boone, on entering his final year under contract: “I’m consumed with getting us back to the playoffs and winning it all.” pic.twitter.com/LimYCsOSdu
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) December 5, 2023

Should Soto and Yamamoto don the pinstripes in 2024, Boone won't be able to hide behind Cashman's questionable moves for players like Joey Gallo, Josh Donaldson and Frankie Montas that ultimately culminated in New York missing the playoffs in 2023.

There's always the possibility New York acquires Soto and Yamamoto and the pair flop en route to another disastrously pedestrian season in the Bronx.

But if that happens — no matter the reason — Boone and Cashman's jobs will be in deep, deep trouble.

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