“It’s probably not finished” - Aaron Boone keeps it vague as Cody Bellinger, Kyle Tucker markets heat up amid Yankees' quiet offseason

After a disappointing capmaign in 2025, the New York Yankees have their work cut out for them this offseason.

Much to the frustration of fans, however, the organization has not been as active in the market as they would have hoped. So far, the only notable business that has taken place is re-signing Ryan Yarbrough, Clarke Schmidt and Oswaldo Cabrera.

Nonetheless, the Yankees continue to be linked with highly sought-after free agents such as Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker, and there is a notion that something big may be in the works.

On Friday, insider Greg Joyce of the New York Post quizzed Yankees manager Aaron Boone about his team's recruitment plans. Responding, Boone did not reveal too much, but he did assure fans that he expects the team to be "really good" by the time opening day rolls around.

“The one thing is, I know we have a really good team right now — we have a lot of really good players on our roster,” Aaron Boone said. “It’s probably not finished, there’ll be tweaks I’m sure up until spring training. So whatever happens, our expectation is that we’re going to be really good and that’ll be our focus, on getting ready. … That’s the front office doing their thing and working through. “It always takes more than just us to tango. It takes sometimes other clubs, obviously free agents and the opportunities they have in front of them. However it lands, my expectation is that we’re going to be really good and that’s how we’ll prepare.”

Aaron Boone speaks to reporters - Source: Getty

---

Aaron Boone's reveals the Yankees are not as close to striking a deal for Tatsuya Imai as many assumed

Alongside the aforementioned sluggers, starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai is also one of the top free agents on the market extensively linked with a move to the Bronx.

After Imai sensationally claimed he would rather "take the Dodgers down" than join Shohei Ohtani and company in Southern California, many assumed this meant the Yankees would be favorites to sign the starter.

As The Athletic's Chris Kirschner revealed via X on Friday, however, Aaron Boone has revealed the organization hasn't even met with Imai yet.

"Aaron Boone said the Yankees have not met with Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai. He said he didn’t know if they will," Kirschner posted.

Imai, a three-time NPB All-Star, is projected to land a deal in the range of $135 million.

Edited by Raghav Mehta