Aaron Boone happy to be back with Yankees in 2025, with or without a contract extension

Aaron Boone is back with the Yankees for 2025 at least, as the team has picked up his option year on his contract – and he never had a doubt that would happen, mostly because he didn’t really have much time between the end of the season on Oct. 30 and the option being picked up nine days later.

“As you’re going through the season there’s so much to focus on, so it wasn’t something we were talking about; that was for after the season, so I didn’t have really any expectations,” Boone said Monday. “When you get to the playoffs and you’re grinding through that, that’s where the focus went.”

He’s excited to be back for another year, getting the chance to lead the team, and while there has been no dialogue as of yet on a contract extension, he’s okay wtnot worried about being a ‘lame duck’ for right now…because technically, he was in that position last year, too.

“Yeah, I mean, here I am,” Boone said. “I’m excited to be back, and we’ll see if there’s any more dialogue about an extension, but a lot is going on throughout the organization and there’s a lot of work to do and loose ends to tie up. You don’t get to tend to some things going so deep in the playoffs, so we’ll see what unfolds…the reality is a ton of people go to work every day with that existence. I just had that reality, and we were able to put together a strong season and get to the World Series. So, I’m excited to be here for 2025, ready to go and excited to be with the people I get to work under and with, and this player group, so many of them I’ve developed a really strong tie to.”

Boone did say that there will be one change to his coaching staff for sure, and maybe a second, although he wasn’t able to divulge either of those spots. Regardless, he and a staff that ‘my expectation is remains largely intact’ will get to work right away trying to get back to the Fall Classic in 2025, even if the sting of what happened just two weeks ago will never go away.

“This stays with you forever, the sting of not finishing it off. The wound is still there; when you get that close to the top of the mountain, not reaching that ultimate goal when you get close, there’s pain that goes with that,” Boone said. “The reality is that pain never goes away, but you always have the perspective of the amount of good things that happened this year – winning the division, getting the chance to play in the World Series. We saw the development of a couple young pieces who will be crucial for the team going forward, and some surprise people who came into the mix and became significant parts of what we’re doing and will play significant roles moving forward. I’m proud of many people and the players, and what they were able to accomplish this year.”