With support from owner Hal Steinbrenner and GM Brian Cashman, it appears likely that the Yankees will extend Boone before Opening Day.

The Yankees retained Boone last November by vesting a club option in his last contract, a two-year deal, but now want to lock him up to a new multi-year pact.

"I know that if he wasn't the Yankee manager, there'd be a feeding frenzy for him to be a manager that's coveted elsewhere," general manager Brian Cashman said.