http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer...ner-yankees-big-players-at-next-weeks-meeting Yankees managing partner Hal Steinbrenner and top Yankees executives are lining up meetings at next week's General Manager meetings with agents for multiple big-name free agents, showing strong signs they'll be back as big-time free-agent players. They are closely eying just about every big-time performer who's free (with one notable exception). It's interesting that Steinbrenner appears to be at the center of things as the Yankees try to rebound from what was for them a disappointing season. "Hal is very involved, and he wants to win," someone familiar with the Yankees dealings said. The Yankees have to be considered the favorite to retain star second baseman Robinson Cano, but they are also looking closely as the four players just below Cano on this year's agent list -- Jacoby Ellsbury, Shin-Soo Choo, Masahiro Tanaka and Brian McCann -- and maybe a dozen players, or more, overall.
...but but but, "they can't make moves until they know ARod's fate...but but but, "they can't/won't spend over $189 Mil".
They have no choice but to make moves while waiting for Arod. Like I said in another post if they wait for the Arod saga to end they will end up with mickey mouse playing 3rd base and me as the catcher and I am just a little over 5 feet tall and weigh 110 pounds soaking wet so you be the judge if you want them to wait or have me and mickey playing next season.
I still dont believe they will go over the cap, never did, and won't until they do. They didnt sandbag 2013 only to come this close and blow it all out of the water. They have plenty to spend, cap or not. They just need to be a little creative and smart for a change if the A-rod thing lingers.
...yup, and like I said to you in that other thread, I agree with 100% on this. ARod should not be a major factor. The way I see it is for them to go after the FAs that can be had and if if ARod's suspension is upheld, great, they're $25 Mil better off.
...if by chance ARod's salary for 2014 is swallowed by his suspension they MIGHT be under the cap...otherwise, they won't be. ...they were $59 Mil over the cap last year...money was/is not a factor.
I think they can be creative also and be close to that number. What is killing this team is the "IFS". If Arod suspension is upheld, If Kuroda comes back, If we are able to retain and sign Cano... Without looking, there is about 45-50 million off the books with those 3. Grandy will answer by Monday if he accepting the offer of 14+. That could be 60 million. You could add, McCann, Infante, Choo, Freese, and a closer for that money. So 5 free agents with those names for a 39 yr old 3B, 39 yr old pitcher, and a Superstar who has an over inflated price of what he is worth perhaps. So what I am wondering is this. Wouldn't you think they would have a conversation regarding Kuroda's intentions with a date for an answer?
But dont you see, thats why the A-rod thing matters so much. They yankees are NOT going over that cap. Not after planning for multiple years to get under it and essentially killing last year to do so. A-rod in or out could be the difference in them landing someone like Choo or McCann.
Last years' cap doesnt matter. The 2014 cap very much does for the tax reset. Getting below in 2014 would reset the Yankees’ luxury-tax rate from 50% to 17.5%. They will not ignore that, and if you noticed, last year they added almost no one that would impact the 2014 payroll in any significant way.
...ahh, I see, they didn't mind forking over $29 Mil in Lux Tax last year, but they suddenly do this year...check.
Is money a concern for the Yankees or not. Resetting the luxury Tax rate is huge for Houston, and the likes. But is it really a concern to a team that is facing considerable damage to its brand. As a 3.3 Billion dollar operation, there is a part of me that says the brand can't take a hit 2 years in a row, hell a negative 5% adjustment in team valuation would be a 165 million dollar loss?
...why is "resetting the Luxury Tax rate huge for Houston"?...do you even know the Lux Tax works and where the money goes?
You clearly do not understand how this looming luxury tax limit rest works. The 2014 payroll is what matters.
Help me understand, setting the 2014 rate allows for future spending to be set at 17.5 right? However if an organization's valuation as a business was decreased by 5% because of lackluster play 2 years in a row or more, doesn't the net loss matter more and the Luxury Tax which becomes just a larger operating expense?
...lmao...you can't in any way educate me about anything BB related......just do what you usually do post/fail/change the context.
Thats unfortunate because you obviously do not understand the 2014 tax reset. You speaking about what they spent in 2013 and how much tax they paid last year pretty much show that you have no clue.
That is the golden question. Ownership didnt seem to concerned with having 1/2 the stadium empty on national TV last year. Just look at how they approached their roster last year. They made sure they didnt impact the '14 payroll. They may say its not a mandate, but I am going to have to see it before i believe it. There is a Huge difference is a 50% lux tax and a 17% one. Plus i believe with repeat offenders who go over the tax, the tax rate increases each year of the offense. 2014 offers the 1st opportunity for a team like the yankees to hit the reset button. They have the ability to make some moves and stay under the cap. That gets a LOT better if A-rod goes away. I just dont know if they can go all out to put together a worls series contender and stay under that cap if the A-rod stuff lingers. If could impact a big signing or 2 for sure. They made it clear last year that their goal was the 2014 limit 1st, winning 2nd, despite what they say. I think it will be again. What they need to do is enough to make it look good, or actually get creative with some deferred money contract, smart trades for a change if that is even possible with this farm and GM, but i think the 189 very much matters to them, and it mattered more than winning did last year.
...no, sorry, but "unfortunately for you", I do understand the 2014 reset...and to address your other faux pas, I was speaking of 2013 money because YOU first brought it up...remember? ...try to keep up.
