Hal Steinbrenner spent most of his Wednesday media availability answering questions on Juan Soto.
That was to be anticipated, because the Yankees proprietor and some different members of the group met with the coveted free agent in Southern California on Monday. Nonetheless, Soto was not the one subject addressed by Steinbrenner at MLB’s Homeowners Conferences, nor was he the one participant of curiosity to be talked about throughout a media scrum that lasted 13 minutes.
Right here’s a have a look at the place the proprietor stands on a number of non-Soto issues.
The Yankees’ Payroll
Steinbrenner beforehand known as the Yankees’ 2024 payroll unsustainable, as they went above $300 million for the primary time in franchise historical past. He reiterated that time on Wednesday, however famous that some huge cash has come off the pennant-winning group’s books thanks to a couple in-house free brokers.
“We’re in a better starting position than we were a year ago,” Steinbrenner mentioned. “There’s no doubt about that. Look, year after year after year after year, payrolls similar to this year and the luxury taxes they produce are not sustainable, not feasible, and that’s the case for the vast majority of owners, and maybe all of the owners.
“Doesn’t mean in any given year I can’t do what I want to do.”
As of now, the Yankees’ 2025 payroll is projected to be $238.8 million, per Cot’s Contracts. Whereas the Yankees are in a greater spot, as Steinbrenner mentioned, they’re at present budgeting some huge cash for Soto, who’s searching for effectively over half-a-billion {dollars} as a few of baseball’s richest groups courtroom him.
The Yankees might liberate further cash earlier than Friday’s non-tender deadline, as Trent Grisham and Tim Mayza are amongst these with notable projected salaries who’re doubtlessly on the chopping block. Future trades might additionally present aid.
Steinbrenner mentioned that he hasn’t selected an working finances for 2025, and he’s instructed Brian Cashman that he’s open to any proposals.
“We’ve got the ability to sign any player we want to sign,” Steinbrenner mentioned.
Wants Past Soto
Even when Soto stays, giving the Yankees continuity in proper area, they’ll have loads of holes to fill with their remaining payroll. A group that reached the World Collection in 2024 might look extraordinarily completely different, as there are additionally query marks at first base, second base and in left area.
“As always, anything that comes across my desk, I’m going to consider,” Steinbrenner mentioned. “We do have other things to add, whether that’s via free agency, whether that’s via a trade. We’ve got some things we need to improve upon. Every club does.”
The Yankees might use youthful — and cheaper — gamers at a number of the aforementioned positions, particularly if Soto is retained. For instance, Caleb Durbin is a candidate for second. Jasson Domínguez might get a shot in left. Ben Rice is a fallback choice at first, although that ought to be the Yankees’ prime precedence after Soto.
Whereas a number of positions up for grabs, Steinbrenner particularly mentioned that the Yankees will do a “deep dive” on their rotation and bullpen.
“Speaking hypothetically, I don’t think you can ever have enough pitching,” the proprietor mentioned.
The Newest on Roki Sasaki
One pitcher who will likely be of curiosity to the Yankees — and just about each different group — is Roki Sasaki.
Hours after Steinbrenner spoke, commissioner Rob Manfred mentioned that the Japanese ace is anticipated to signal with a serious league membership as a part of the 2025 worldwide signing class. That signifies that Sasaki gained’t signal earlier than January 15, although it’s nonetheless unclear precisely when the Chiba Lotte Marines will put up the flamethrowing righty.
Sasaki will signal a comparatively small contract, because the 23-year-old’s age limits him to groups’ worldwide signing bonus swimming pools beneath MLB guidelines. Based on Baseball America, the Yankees have $6,261,600 of their pool. The Dodgers, perceived as favorites for Sasaki as a result of they dominate the Japanese media market and make use of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, have $5,146,200.
Nonetheless, Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, known as these rumors “poor sportsmanship,” per The Athletic’s Evan Drellich.
Some notable groups which have equal or extra bonus pool cash than the Yankees embody the Rangers, Blue Jays, Padres, Phillies, Mets, Cubs, Pink Sox, Orioles, Diamondbacks, Rays and Mariners.
The Yankees have been scouting Sasaki for years, however Steinbrenner mentioned he’s solely seen highlights. He known as Sasaki a “tremendous pitcher” however added “we have not had any real discussions at all about any possible postings of Japanese players yet.”
“But like every other club, I’m sure we will,” the proprietor continued.
Boone and Cole’s Contracts
Whereas nothing sounded imminent, Steinbrenner indicated that the Yankees might add onto Aaron Boone and Gerrit Cole’s contracts.
Boone simply had a membership choice picked up for 2025. He lately mentioned that he had not mentioned an extension with the Yankees, nevertheless it wouldn’t be a shock if such talks occur later this offseason.
“I’m going to have discussions with Cashman in the very near future,” Steinbrenner mentioned. “There’s no huge rush to it, but I will have those discussions as to what we should do next, if anything.”
Steinbrenner supplied the same reply on Gerrit Cole.
The ace opted out of the remaining 4 years and $144 million on his contract at first of the offseason. The Yankees had the flexibility to void that choose out by including an additional 12 months and $36 million to his deal, however they didn’t try this. As an alternative of testing free company, Cole then primarily modified his thoughts about opting out.
On the time, it was instructed that the Yankees, Cole and his agent, Scott Boras — who additionally reps Soto — might focus on an extension at a later date.
“Any discussions they want to have, we’ll have,” mentioned Steinbrenner, who’s shut with Cole. “The problem was the fifth year. There were a number of factors involved from my end. It was really just the time. We only had 48 hours. And when the deadline came, I just wasn’t in a position where I was comfortable going to a fifth year.
“But let me just say that doesn’t reflect in any way, shape or form what we think of Gerrit. We want Gerrit to be a Yankee for life. I believe he wants to be a Yankee for life. And adding one more year or not should have no meaning when it comes to that.”
