AJ: More Proof of Yankees’ Elite Spending Status

The New York Yankees will have to pay a “luxury tax” of nearly $25.69 million because their payroll exceeded the average annual values of teams’ contracts for players on 40-man rosters plus benefits, according to a Dec. 21st  Associated Press (AP) story. 

The Yankees are the only team to pay this tax for 2009 and have spent more than the threshold in all seven years since the luxury tax was instituted.  The collection of teams’ luxury taxes is then used to pay “revenue sharing” funds back to all the other teams – with the idea of promoting at least a limited degree of parity.

Think about this:  Since 2003, the Yankees have been billed $174 of the $190 million total in luxury taxes that have been applied to all teams in Major League Baseball.   Only three other teams have paid luxury taxes:  The Red Sox paid $13.9 million for 2004 – 07;  the Tigers paid $1.3 million for 2008, and the Angels paid $927,059 for 2004, the AP reported.

The Yankees’ payroll for luxury tax purposes was $226.2 million, but its regular 2009 payroll was $2.5 million less than its 2008 payroll.   Yet, the Yankees’ 2009 payroll was still “$77.8 million higher than any other team – a gap larger than the payrolls of the bottom 11 clubs…”

OK, I admit it, I’m re-stating this AP story because it documents the gap between the Yankees and the Red Sox and puts the Yanks’ overall gap with other teams in perspective.   I’m sick of people trying to argue that the Red Sox are in the same league as the Yankees.  They are up there, but, they’re still not as close to the Evil Empire as people think. 

While I’m poking fun at the Bombers, I believe they’ll be hurt substantially by the loss of Hideki Matsui, and, particularly, Johnny Damon, who appears unlikely to re-sign with the Yanks now.   Both provided unique skills and clutch hitting ability that will be missed, forcing a heavier hitting burden onto Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, and Alex Rodriguez.

Meanwhile, I just read a NY Daily News article speculating that the Cubs might want to talk to the Yanks about getting either Yanks centerfielder Melky Cabrera or Brett Gardner, another outfielder.   I wonder what Big Mike thinks about that possibility.  I’ve always thought Melky Cabrera was a bit under-rated and might thrive on another ballclub in another city, where he might play a more central role on the team.

AJ: This is Why I Hate the Yankees

I am pissed.  The Yankees just got Curtis Granderson, the Tigers’ All-Star centerfielder, for virtually nothing!  Are you fucking kidding me?

OK, the Yankees gave up Phil Coke, Ian Kennedy and minor-league prospect Austin Jackson in the three-way deal, which included the Arizona Diamondbacks, along with the Tigers.  But, all I care about is that the  World Series champion Yankees just got better.  

(This outcome is pending final approval of all details of the deal, including a review of players’ medical records, etc)

The Yankees are already the best team in baseball.  They have, BY FAR, the best hitting lineup in the game.   Great starters, best closer in history…..and, now, they add Granderson, who can hit for power (30 HRs last year) field well in center, and, steal bases.   This is why, indeed, I despise the Bombers.  Just when they’re on top of the world, they add to their kingdom.  The rich got richer.

I’ve always respected Granderson’s ability at the plate.  He looks like a hitter and hits for contact and power.  He has long at-bats.  And, he’s one of those guys who often seems to start trouble – i.e. – a rally.  He’s a terrific baserunner.  Not only does he steal often, but, often, he gets the extra base on a hit.  He’s an all-around player.

Granderson is only 28.  His 2009 salary was $3.5 million – with a total of an additional $25 million left on his contract before he’ll become a free agent after 2011.  His average dropped from .302 in 2007 to .280 in 2008 to .249 in 2009.  Last year, however, Granderson had 30 HRs, 71 RBIs and 20 steals and made the All-Star team.    Granderson is better than his stats indicate, in my view.   I can see him thriving on the Yankees.

So, just when the Yankees face a dilemma of potentially losing Johnny Damon and/or Hideki Matsui, now, suddenly, they eliminated any concern about a void in the outfield.  They’ll move Melky Cabrera out of center and can trade Damon, if they don’t want to meet his salary demands. 

I cannot believe the Yankees pulled this off.  I have to give Yankee GM Brian Cashman credit.   

There is only one tiny consolation to this story:  It puts even more pressure on Red Sox GM Theo Epstein to make a BIG move rather than just signing a left-fielder.