From 'The Martian' to 3rd base & Stro: 5 hot topics at Yanks camp

TAMPA, Fla. -- As the Yankees advanced toward the World Series last season, Aaron Boone frequently spoke about the “hunger” he’d witnessed from the first days of spring, when stars and prospects alike filled the diamonds of the club’s training complex weeks ahead of their mandatory report date.

With captain Aaron Judge leading the charge, that has continued to transpire ahead of the new campaign. It is an encouraging sign for Boone, who said he senses the Yankees are motivated not only to chase another pennant, but to bring home the franchise’s 28th championship in 2025.

“The level of focus, the level of commitment, it seems to be there,” Boone said. “But we’ve got to work at that every day. We’ve got to fight for that every day. That’s the thing; you hold each other accountable. We want you to walk in these doors every day with a hunger. That can be a difference-maker, especially in a long, tough season.”

Yankees pitchers and catchers reported to George M. Steinbrenner Field on Tuesday, with their first official workout scheduled for Wednesday. Here are five hot topics from Boone’s session with the media:

1. 'The Martian' is primed for launch

Jasson Domínguez is the early favorite to take over as the everyday starter in left field, according to Boone, who cautioned the top prospect “is a young guy that’s still got to go out and earn it.” Domínguez has been working defensively with coach Luis Rojas at the club’s complex for more than a week, aiming to correct issues he experienced in a September cameo.

“I’d love for him to secure and grab it, and my expectation is that he will,” Boone said. “I’m looking forward to seeing his continued growth. … He’s in a good spot right now. He’s got a good look in his eye, and he’s going to get every opportunity to be that guy. We certainly are hoping he shows us that.”

It may be notable that Domínguez’s spring locker was relocated, now residing between Judge and Cody Bellinger.

2. Who’s on third?

Boone sees “a great opportunity for somebody to grab” a starting role at third base, with a spring competition outlined between DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza, and Jorbit Vivas. Boone would love to see LeMahieu make it an easy call, but the two-time batting champion has seen his last several years wrecked by injuries “that have really zapped his greatness.” Boone said LeMahieu “looks good and feels good” right now.

“I’m not going to put anything past a healthy DJ LeMahieu and his ability to hit,” Boone said. “Hopefully he’s one of those guys that kind of kicks the door in, grabs it and runs with it. We certainly know what he’s capable of, coupled with being outstanding defensively.”

3. The Stro Show

Marcus Stroman spoke with Boone on Tuesday, and the manager said he senses the right-hander “is in a good mental place” and physically ready for the season ahead. Stroman’s name was reportedly floated in trade talks after he was moved to the bullpen in September, but as spring nears, he does not have a defined role on the roster. Boone acknowledged it could be “awkward” for Stroman, who is owed $18 million this year.

“The bottom line is, we’re getting him ready to pitch,” Boone said. “Those things have a way of working themselves out, especially as we sit here in the middle of February. Cream rises to the top. I feel like it’ll work itself out. Right now, it’s about getting him ready to go to be a real contributor.”

4. Dodgers trash talk

Boone said he didn’t appreciate hearing numerous remarks from members of the Dodgers this past winter; reliever Joe Kelly, infielder Miguel Rojas, and utilityman Chris Taylor all made public comments criticizing various areas of the Yankees’ play during the World Series. Boone said he’d hope the Yankees would “handle things with a little more class” as champions.

“You didn’t hear that from the [Freddie] Freemans, [Mookie] Betts, [Shohei] Ohtanis, and [Clayton] Kershaws of the world,” Boone said. “Sometimes, you’re coming off the drunkenness of winning a world championship. Some guys are more inclined to spout off and be a little more colorful than others. Again, that’s their right. They won. Hopefully, we’re in that position and do things a little better.”

5. The post-Juan Soto era

Soto made his mark on Yankees history with a pennant-winning homer last October in Cleveland, but his next highlights will come in Mets orange-and-blue. Soto’s departure figures to be mentioned throughout the spring (Luke Weaver remarked Tuesday, “I certainly liked when he was on my team,”), but though Soto will play home games just a few miles from the Bronx, Yankees pitchers must only concern themselves with him for three games this season.

“We all saw how important he was to our club last year,” Boone said. “We did a lot to try and keep him here. I think everyone understands how much we wanted him back. That being said, there’s a lot of ways to build a great team. I think the moves that we’ve made this offseason give us that chance.”