Yankees Offseason Outlook Isn’t Bright
Yankees supporters might want to lower their expectations for the upcoming offseason.
During a recent broadcast, Yankees play-by-play announcer Michael Kay expressed a rather grim perspective regarding the team’s plans. He mentioned the goal to keep the annual payroll under $300 million as a driving factor in these decisions.
“Right now, there’s a good chance that the Yankees’ focus, as we sit here on December 4, is actually below that $300 million mark,” Kay remarked on his ESPN radio show.
However, he questioned if the Yankees could stick to this budget while still improving the team. After all, it’s pretty tricky to make significant enhancements while slashing costs.
“To get better than last year’s team, it seems unrealistic to cut payroll like that,” he said. “If that’s the mission, I’ll wait and see if they actually stick with it, because it’s hard to believe they’d be able to pull off a winning season with those orders.” He noted that maintaining a 94-win record would be quite the challenge.
Before panic sets in among fans, it’s important to clarify that discussions about keeping the payroll under $300 million are primarily focused on free agency spending, not necessarily the overall budget.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has previously voiced concerns regarding the sustainability of a $300 million annual salary, stating that ideally, lower salaries would be preferable. Yet, he also indicated that the organization isn’t rigidly committed to such drastic cuts.
“We can talk numbers before general manager Brian Cashman heads into the winter meetings, but situations change so quickly that a budget can be wiped away in an instant if we secure a deal that addresses key needs,” Steinbrenner explained last month. “So, it’s hard to pin down an exact figure. It’s a different kind of deal.”
With Trent Grisham unexpectedly accepting a qualifying offer, the Yankees find themselves with around $278 million, including arbitration raises, according to Cott’s Contract.
This essentially leaves them about $22 million to play with under a $300 million budget, which might make snagging a top free agent challenging.
The Yankees are still interested in a reunion with Cody Bellinger, but there are whispers about shifting their focus to Kyle Tucker if his asking price declines.
This budgeting restraint might hinder opportunities for other significant signings, like Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai.
“If they truly want to stay under $300 million, big signings like Bellinger or Tucker seem unlikely,” Kay pointed out, noting Tucker’s $40 million contract aspirations.
Kay also emphasized that the team lacks the flexibility to trade players in order to afford a major acquisition without exceeding the budget.
He described Giancarlo Stanton, who carries a $25 million CBT, as “immovable.” Additionally, he ruled out trades for Aaron Judge ($40 million), Gerrit Cole ($36 million), and Max Fried ($27.3 million), while raising doubts about whether Carlos Rodon ($27 million) could fetch “top value.”
Ryan McMahon’s $15.4 million contract is under scrutiny, too, as Kay questioned whether any team would want him.
“People suggest we trade Ryan McMahon, but is there even a market for him? He’s a fantastic defender, no doubt, but his bat doesn’t really impress,” he noted.
All of this adds up to a challenging offseason for Cashman and the team as they try to strengthen their roster, whether it’s with $20 million or a full $300 million at their disposal.
“I know the pitching looks solid, especially with Cole and Rodon expected back, possibly even by May. And (Cam) Schritler seems poised for a breakout. All of that is great,” Kay acknowledged. “But we’ve got to find some offensive power, too.”
