Yankees Owner, in MLB’s Biggest Market, Says It’s ‘Difficult’ to Spend Like Dodgers
The New York Yankees are regarded as the titans of baseball, but their reputation may be more of a nostalgic title rather than a current truth. While the Bronx Bombers lost the World Series just three months ago, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner’s latest remarks don’t bode well for the organization.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have put all other clubs on edge this winter. The defending champions have signed some of the top players in the free agent class this offseason, and Steinbrenner said he can’t keep up with the Dodgers’ big spending.
“Well, look. It’s difficult for most of us owners to be able to do the kind of things that they’re doing,” Steinbrenner said, via YES Network. “Now, we’ll see if it pays off. They still have to have a season relatively injury-free for it to work out for them, and it’s a long season, as you know, and once you get to the postseason, anything can happen. We’ve seen that time and time again.”
Steinbrenner’s comments don’t put much confidence in the league’s most valuable brand. This does not sound like the franchise that boasts Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Murderer’s Row in its history.
The Yankees have not outspent the Dodgers, but the organization has certainly spent a fair share of money this winter adding Max Fried, Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt and Devin Williams. However, it seems the Yankees are moving with caution toward the final rung of the luxury tax thresholds.
The Yankees are hoping to bounce back from a postseason that ended in a fateful fifth inning headlined by Aaron Judge’s dropped ball.
“I think we have a better team right now than we did a year ago today,” Steinbrenner said.
To many, the Dodgers are disrupting baseball. But the harsh reality is the Dodgers appear to be the only team willing to build baseball’s next dynasty.
The Yankees’ Murderer’s Row had the entire country watching. They were baseball’s best and the league was at its peak of popularity.
As the Dodgers enter their golden era of baseball, the team could very well be creating the next must-watch organization. There is something irresistible about a sports dynasty — some people watch as fans while others may tune in to a game to hope they fail.
Either way, dynasties are good for the sport.
The Yankees ownership just isn’t as committed to building one.
Photo Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports
