ORLANDO — Brian Cashman addressed the Yankees’ payroll once more on Sunday evening on the Winter Conferences, insisting that Hal Steinbrenner has not given him a tough quantity to work with this offseason.
Final week, YES Community broadcaster and ESPN Radio host Michael Kay stated that “there is a good chance” that the Yankees’ “intent” is to have a payroll beneath $300 million, a determine they’ve exceeded in every of the final two seasons. When requested about Kay’s feedback, nonetheless, Cashman replied, “You’d have to ask Michael where he got that information.”
“Last time I spoke with you guys, I told you that Hal hadn’t given me a drop-dead number, and that’s still the case,” Cashman continued. “Hal’s exact words to me — continue to be — ‘take everything that’s out there to me,’ which I will continue to do.”
In a observe up, Cashman was requested if he’s obtained any tips to decrease payroll.
“I haven’t been told by Hal anything like that. But you can ask Michael more about it if you want,” he responded.
Earlier this offseason, Steinbrenner stated it might be “ideal” to decrease the Yankees’ payroll after they spent $319 million final season, however he additionally acknowledged that that isn’t essentially going to occur.
“I’m sure that’s every owner’s [ideal],” Cashman stated. “You’d love to win the whole thing at less of a cost if you possibly can.”
As of Monday morning, the Yankees’ projected aggressive steadiness tax payroll for 2026 sat at $283.6 million, per Cot’s Contracts. With the crew nonetheless hoping to re-sign Cody Bellinger, in want of bullpen and bench assist, and standing to profit from the addition of a frontline starter, staying beneath $300 million or $304 million — the very best penalty tax threshold — shall be troublesome.
Having a payroll decrease than final 12 months’s whole of $319 million, in the meantime, wouldn’t sit effectively with the Bronx devoted with the Yankees searching for their first championship since 2009.
Requested if the Yankees must spend extra to enhance their roster, Cashman stated there are “a lot of different ways to skin a cat.”
Cashman additionally mentioned the potential of buying and selling main league expertise for main league expertise. He particularly acknowledged that his lineup is just too left-handed, so he’s “open-minded” to buying and selling from a bigger group that features well-paid gamers akin to Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Ryan McMahon.
TUCKER HASN’T VISITED. WILL IMAI?
Cashman stated that Kyle Tucker has not visited the Yankees’ services in Tampa, Fla. He declined to say if he expects the nook outfielder to take action.
Tucker, a Tampa native, just lately visited the pennant-winning Blue Jays’ complicated in Dunedin, Fla.
Tucker is baseball’s high free agent, however the Yankees have been centered on Bellinger. Tucker is a youthful and higher hitter than Bellinger, however he’s additionally going to price extra.
Cashman declined to say if he’s made a proper supply to Bellinger but, however he spoke to his agent, Scott Boras, on Saturday.
Cashman additionally wouldn’t say if he expects one other Boras shopper, Tatsuya Imai, to go to New York after the Winter Conferences. Nevertheless, the Yankees have an interest within the Japanese ace, and Cashman stated he’d “love to add a starter” to a rotation that has numerous arms however shall be with out Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt on Opening Day.
Max Fried, Cam Schlittler and Will Warren, in the meantime are all coming off career-high workloads.
COULD WEAVER COME BACK?
With the Yankees in want of bullpen assist and Devin Williams already signing with the Mets, Cashman stated that he has been in contact with Luke Weaver’s agent.
As soon as a journeyman starter, Weaver turned a reliever and remodeled his profession with the Yankees, totaling a 3.21 ERA during the last two seasons. Nevertheless, he struggled following a hamstring harm this previous season and shared his frustrations over his lack of ability to regulate — mentally and bodily — after the Yankees approached him with some pitch-tipping issues forward of the playoffs.
The Yankees sometimes keep away from expensive contracts for relievers, however they’ve a number of holes to fill.
