The New York Yankees’ deal to bring in Cody Bellinger brought them the much-needed left-handed bat they needed and filled one hole on their roster.
It also brought a $27.5 million salary hit to a payroll that owner Hal Steinbrenner wants to keep under control.
How much room do the Yankees have left to spend to fill the two big holes – third and/or second base and first base – without going over the $301 million luxury-tax threshold?
The Yankees have less than $50 million to spend the rest of the offseason to stay on budget.
With the addition of Bellinger the Yankees’ projected 2025 Opening Day 26-man payroll is $261,914,047.
More importantly, their 40-man projected competitive balance payroll tax is $283,982,334, according to Cots’ Contract. That is the number the Yankees’ luxury tax will be calculated at.
Steinbrenner has been very clear that he wants the Yankees to stay under the $301 million mark.
“Look, year after year after year after year, payrolls similar to this year and the luxury taxes they produce are not sustainable, not feasible, and that’s the case for the vast majority of owners, and maybe all of the owners.
“Doesn’t mean in any given year I can’t do what I want to do. I mean, we’ve got the ability to sign any player we want to sign,” Steinbrenner told reporters at the MLB Owners Meetings in November.
Steinbrenner certainly flirted with the threshold when pursuing $765 million free agent Juan Soto, but when they lost out on the slugger it was clear the Yankees were watching what they spent.
They have made big and smart moves signing Max Fried to a $218 million deal over eight years and trading for a relatively inexpensive closer in Devin Williams.
With the Yankees still having question marks at first base and third base (or second if they are determined to use Jazz Chisholm there), general manager Brian Cashman has about $42.9 million to work with the rest of the winter unless they can get creative and move some salary.
They would like to move starting pitcher Marcus Stroman and his $18.5 million salary for 2025, but his struggles last year limit their opportunities to trade him.
More MLB: Yankees underdogs in chase for flame-throwing Japanese star
