The Damn Penny Pinching Yankees!

I know the Yankees aren’t “cheap” like the Athletics are. We spend a lot of money on a roster unlike the Athletics (as flawed as it is) and Hal Steinbrenner has talked a lot in recent years about pulling back on the budget for sustainability. For a long time we have wondered exactly where Hal would draw that line and say ‘no more’ and we have our answer.

We keep hearing about the Yankees “running it back” out again in 2026, and we can see that again….in an attempt that thankfully failed. The Yankees tried to bring back another guy from last season, and a very unimpactful one at that. The Yankees pursued Austin Slater again but he said ‘no thanks’ and packed his bag for Detroit, read more HERE. 

So the Yankees offered $1 million, but the Tigers gave Slater a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training worth $2 million with an additional $500,000 in potential incentives. Interesting how the Yankees chose to lose in this scenario for what is literally pocket change for them. Even at max incentive earnings, I never thought I would see the Yankees just fold like that. Not that I REALLY wanted Slater in particular, because he was not impactful for us but damn….I never thought I would see THAT happen. 

But honestly, that isn’t even the first time or the first Austin. The Yankees were connected to Austin Hays all winter as a backup option if Cody Bellinger did not return. It was also rumored he could be a potential bench piece for us. The Mets were also interested because if the Yankees are interested the Mets have to be too. Last week, Hays signed a $6 million deal with the Chicago White Sox so Hays won’t be playing for either New York team. It’s crazy to think about but if the Yankees passed on the cheaper Slater this week, I guess it shouldn’t surprise us the Yankees were out at the higher price tag.

Honestly, I would’ve preferred Hays over Slater but it doesn’t matter now. What does matter is the Yankees need more right-handed options in the lineup so they need SOMEONE. Trent Grisham is left-handed, Cody is left-handed, and Jasson Dominguez might as well be left-handed because he is beyond weak on the other side of the plate. We need more than just Aaron Judge as a right-handed option in the outfield.

The Yankees need to do something here. Honestly when you look at remaining options it’s pretty embarrassing to lose out on both of these guys for a dollar amount that is so insignificant to them in the grand scheme of things. This isn’t a small market team with thin profit margins….but they are acting like one.

–Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj