The Yankees Payroll Problems

     The New York Yankees are usually the team with the highest payroll in the MLB.  This year doesn't seem like it will be to much different as the Yankees payroll is said to be in the area of $210 million.  With the additions of Hiroki Kuroda, Raul Ibanez, Eric Chavez and Michael Pineda the payroll doesn't look to be getting any lower. Due to the high payroll the Yankees are subject to the luxury tax imposed by the MLB in 2003 and it doesn't look like Hal Steinbrenner wants to pay as much anymore.  Hal Steinbrenner the managing general partner of the New York Yankees said he would like to get the payroll down to $189 million.  While this seems to be a big gap to close the Yankees may be on their way in 2011 they payed $13.9 million in luxury tax which was the lowest amount since the tax was imposed in 2003.  While that is a step in the right direction there are many other stats that make it hard to believe that this feat is possible.  One of these stats is that between four players Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia, and Derek Jeter they are committed to $118 million in 2013 alone and in 2014 they are committed to $75 million just between these four players.

With veterans like Jeter and the others it
is hard to see the Yankees at their goal
of $189 million in the next few years.  

 They also have to resign young players like Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson who based on recent play will be demanding big contracts.

Whit young stars who's contracts
are up in the next few years will
the Yankees be able to achieve
this goal in the near future?

 When you see stats like this it is hard to believe that a team like the New York Yankees are going to be able to keep the payroll under $189 million.  Based o the numbers it sure doesn't look like this a goal that can be achieved next year or maybe even in 2014.  This goal looks like it is possible in the years after 2014 as the team is getting older and some stars may start to retire.  With a young and up and coming team after the veterans depart the Yankees may be able to keep the payroll under $189 million for a while.  As I see it this is a team that has been spending a lot on players throughout the history of the club.  I think its great if they can spend less while still being as successful as everyone expects but this is what some people have come to know them for and why change if you don't need to.