Steinbrenner: Yankees not done trying to improve
New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner isn't ruling out the team making more moves this offseason despite expensive luxury-tax implications.
"Given where we are payroll-wise, any addition to the club is going to be a costly one, but I'm still willing to consider anything that comes my way, anything (general manager Brian Cashman) and his team bring my way. I'll leave it at that. But we are not done trying to improve this team," Steinbrenner said Thursday, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.
The Yankees have added Juan Soto, Marcus Stroman, and Alex Verdugo, among others, so far this offseason. New York is currently projected to have the third-highest payroll at $307 million and is at the highest luxury-tax threshold. As a result, the Yankees would face a tax penalty of 110% on each additional dollar spent.
The Yankees have been connected to 2023 NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell and have reportedly made him an offer.
"I'm not going to get into free agents," Steinbrenner said. "I'm just going to tell you that we continue to look at a lot of different options."
Regarding trades or free agent signings, Hal Steinbrenner said: "I would not say there's anything that's close, no."
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) February 22, 2024
He added that they would be "very hesitant" to give up young talent like Spencer Jones, Will Warren and Chase Hampton, who have been asked about.
The Yankees are looking to rebound this season after finishing 2023 with an 82-80 record, missing the postseason for the first time since 2016.