YANKEE DOODLE DANDY
Stanton homers, helps Bombers hold off late Brave comeback:
The man who signs the checks insists the Yankees still have “considerable” dollars to spend this summer, especially if it means acquiring a frontline starting pitcher that could make the difference in getting back to the World Series for the first time since 2009.
Hal Steinbrenner still doesn’t sound as if he’s completely abandoning his stated goal for the past year of finally keeping the Bombers’ payroll below the $197 million luxury tax threshold – nor should he in the longer view.
But the Yanks’ managing general partner notably did at least leave open that possibility slightly in a sit-down this week with the YES Network.
So YES, he’s saying there’s a chance.
“I would have to see where we are, who the person is, how badly that position needs help, so to speak, but I will say, we have a considerable amount of money to spend and I’m not averse to spending it,” Steinbrenner told YES’ Meredith Marakovits. “(It’s) a considerable amount, even staying under (the threshold). We’ve got some options there, flexibility.”
Steinbrenner essentially was expanding upon comments he made at the owners’ meetings last month that he believed GM Brian Cashman and the Yanks were wellpositioned to make whatever moves necessary ahead of the July 31 non-waiver deadline, and that pitching unquestionably was the No.1 priority.
That especially remains true with rookies Domingo German, who started Tuesday’s 8-5 win over Atlanta, and Jonathan Loaisiga, who was sent back to Triple-A Scranton after lasting four innings the previous night, filling in with mixed results recently for injured starters Masahiro Tanaka and Jordan Montgomery.
German coughed up three runs on back-to-back homers and couldn’t complete the fifth inning in his first start since allowing six runs over three frames on June 24 at Tampa.
Still, Aaron Hicks, Kyle Higashioka and Giancarlo Stanton went deep, too, and the Yanks drew five walks for another two runs in the fourth before holding on behind a short bullpen – and two huge outs from Chasen Shreve — to remain one game behind the Red Sox.
It doesn’t appear as if either the Yankees or Boston will shake free before the end of this month, with little reason to believe the race for the AL East title – and most importantly, avoiding the one-game wild card scenario – will be decided until the final three days of the regular season at Fenway.
“It’s a two-man fight right now, so to speak, and no one else is around,” Steinbrenner said. “It’s going to be an interesting deal.”
Which only makes for a fascinating few weeks leading up to what will be another busy trade deadline in the Bronx, one Cashman will need to have better success with than last summer’s blockbuster acquisition of still-disappointing righty Sonny Gray.
The longtime rivals both figure to be in the market for another starting pitcher, even if the Evil Empire in New England boasts an MLB-leading team payroll of over $245 million, about $70 million more than the Yanks have committed so far for 2018.
That leaves Cashman slightly more than $20 million to stay clear of the luxury tax reset for the first time in 16 seasons since those revenuesharing rules were instituted.
With what certainly appears to be a sizable window to winning championships again, I still believe it’s important, if possible, to squeak in below the $197 million tax figure to keep the Yanks poised with the option to open the vaults again during this winter’s star-studded freeagent class. (Hint: Bryce Harper has been working out at first base this week).
For all of the longshot talk about potentially acquiring either of the Mets’ co-aces, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard – guilty as charged! — the Yanks also remain interested in veteran lefties J.A. Happ and Cole Hamels and Detroit righty Michael Fulmer, among others.
Another intriguing and sexy name suddenly back in play could be former Mets washout Matt Harvey, who has gone 3-0 with a 1.47 ERA in his past three outings for Cincinnati.
The Yanks took a hard pass when the erstwhile Dark Knight was made available by the Mets in May, although the Reds reportedly did have a scout in attendance at Loaisiga’s start on Monday.
Either way, Steinbrenner appears prepared to sacrifice prospects and authorize further financial outlays if it means the difference between an early October exit and an accelerated return to the Fall Classic.
“There’s no doubt that I have always been slightly averse to letting these young players go. But we’ve done it,” Steinbrenner said. “You’ve got to do it. We’re just fortunate enough to have a rich, robust farm system to do it from. We’ll look at all options and nothing’s a no and nothing’s a yes right now. We’ve got some time, but it’s not an easy thing to do.”
Nor would it be to abandon the team’s stated luxury-tax goals, but Steinbrenner at least is suggesting now that there’s a chance.