Yankees fans might not be ready to embrace the possibility of Carlos Correa playing in The Bronx, but Aaron Boone echoed Brian Cashman’s sentiments in saying the shortstop’s past won’t be a factor in whether they pursue him as a free agent.
Asked if Correa’s history with the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal during their 2017 World Series run would play a role in how the Yankees look at Correa, Boone said, “No.”
But they would look into how his addition to the clubhouse would play with his teammates.
“Anytime we’re involved in a free agent that’s of large significance and will attract a lot of years and dollars, we’re all gonna feel really good about it,’’ Boone said Tuesday on a Zoom call. “A lot goes into that. Part of what goes on talking to a free agent is you want to really get to know who and what they are and also who we are and what we’re about. That’s as much a part of the process as settling on a contract.”
Boone noted that he didn’t want to look too far ahead, since free agency just began, but he praised Correa, the top player available on the market this offseason.
“He’s a great player,’’ Boone said. “I think he’s obviously in the prime, or entering the prime, of his career. He’s part of what is a very special shortstop [free agent] class.”
That class also includes Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Trevor Story and Javier Baez.
No one has the same résumé as Correa.
“He’s a guy that’s really developed into a leader the last several seasons with the Astros and is gonna be in high demand for good reason, based on the player he is between the lines, but also the intangible things.”
At last week’s GM meetings, Cashman said, “Things like [fan or player sentiment are] not part of that process. To me, just making sure I understand what’s available, what’s the price point of acquisition and then communicate all of that back to ownership as well as my baseball ops team … and then gravitate to what’s realistic or not. … So obviously what occurred in the past, which is obviously part of that background, it’s certainly not part of that initial process for me.”
What will also be a part of the process, according to Boone, is the presence of Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe, two of the top prospects in the organization who could be ready to contribute in the majors, perhaps by 2023.
“No question that factors in because we do feel in Peraza and Volpe we do have two long-time impact big-league players,’’ Boone said. “We’re excited about those players and believe they are real. That factors into any decisions the organization and [Cashman] make.”
Boone said he intends to help recruit any potential free agents, both the ones that played with the Yankees last season and the ones outside the organization.
“Any time we recruit a free agent, especially a bigger name or something like that, I’m always in on that,’’ Boone said. “I don’t want to say sell [the player on the Yankees] because we’re not selling anything. We’re trying to let them see what we’re all about and let them see what it is to be a Yankee and play here and make a really good decision for themselves.”
The Yankees have a hole at short after the decision to move Gleyber Torres back to second base and have question marks at first, third and potentially center field and catcher.
While Cashman wants to give Boone a more flexible roster in 2022, with more athleticism, the manager didn’t point to any specific areas he wants to see upgraded.
“I don’t put a ‘have to’ on anything,’’ Boone said. “We’re trying to get better. We’re trying to get to the top of the mountain and obviously since I’ve been here, we’ve fallen short of that. We’ve been a playoff team every year with varying degrees of success. We’re always searching for a more perfect roster.”