Tampa, Fla. — New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner values his relationship with slugger Judge Aaron and asked the new captain about various team-related issues, such as the possibility of renovating the team’s spring training facility. Recently, he picked Judge’s brain on Anthony Volpe, a dynamic prospect vying to be the team’s short laner.
“I’ve heard from other players, including Aaron Judge, that [Volpe] Steinbrenner said on Wednesday morning, “and that’s good, because he’s going to need all of that, to play where we play.”
Judge famously turned down the Yankees’ $213.5 million offer last spring before he had one of the most productive seasons of all time, breaking the AL record of 62 home players. home. After the season, Steinbrenner personally engaged in negotiations with Judge — and as Judge neared his decision, Steinbrenner increased his offer from $320 million to $360 million in a single call. overnight call with Judge. And he’s appointed Judge as the franchise’s first captain since Derek Jeter.
“The judge and I have a good relationship,” Steinbrenner said. “I asked him about a lot of things. We are preparing to look at some of his renovations [the spring training] stadium, he engages with that. Yes, I asked him about different players.”
Steinbrenner also addressed the team’s recent wave of injuries; the Yankees payroll; and salary spikes for premium free agents. In the wake of off-season deals for superstar players like Judge, Steinbrenner made an amendment to his multi-year statement that you don’t need a $200 million salary to win the World Series. More relevant in this era, Steinbrenner suggests with a wry smile, is that you don’t need a $300 million salary to win a championship. The Yankees’ expected payroll is only about $300 million.
“Times have changed, I admit it,” Steinbrenner said.
Earlier this spring, Pirates’ owner, Bob Nutting, said that parts of the new collective bargaining agreement, created between MLB and the players association just a year ago, didn’t work on Pirates. , is just the latest sign of growing unhappiness among some small-market teams. Steinbrenner said, “Why are we talking about this now? We’ve had a year in the labor agreement. We’ve had all the big rule changes to make the game great. Right in the middle of spring training, right before Opening Day — I’m not focused on (CBA).”
The Yankees have lost their pitcher Carlos Rodoncentral midfielder Harrison Bader and the catcher Jose Trevino injured this spring, along with half a dozen others.
“I guess I could finish my glass and say ‘Get them out of the way now’ instead of dealing with what we had last year, in July and even August… That’s a situation. bad. I don’t want to do it again,” Steinbrenner said.
“In the first half of last year, we had one of the most dominant – if not the most dominant – teams in baseball,” he continued, “and then injuries hit us. The majority of that team, is still intact Most of them are back One question we ask ourselves is, is our starting rotation good enough to beat certain teams in the League The US league doesn’t, and we’ve reached a consensus that we need more — and that’s why we have Carlos. [Rodon].
“Do I think we’re good enough to win the championship? Yes. But we have to stay healthy.”
Rodon was diagnosed last week with what the team called a “mild” elbow strain and this would cause the right-handed player to skip the regular season start. Steinbrenner said he spoke with Rodon in the coach’s room this week and the pitcher’s range of motion has improved markedly. “I think he’s going to be great for us,” Steinbrenner said.
It won’t be long before the Yankees will make a choice about who to install at the breakpoint at the start of the season. Earlier this week, Isiah Kiner-Falefa — the team’s regular stop last year — started making balloons in the off-court area, perhaps preparing for his transition into a utility player. Executives from other teams have said Kiner-Falefa could be traded, with some rival reviewers even saying they believe the veteran will be dealt with soon.
The Yankees seem to be headed for a choice between Oswald Peraza, who made his major league debut last year, or Volpe, who is one of the team’s best performers this spring, batting .321 with four doubles, two home runs and . stolen three times. Volpe, 21, was the 30th overall pick in the 2019 draft, having wowed veterans with his demeanor and confidence. There is a widespread belief within the organization that if Volpe opens the year in the major leagues and struggles early in his career – and that’s not unusual for a young player – he has enough mental strength to cope with some setbacks.
During a spring game, Volpe stole the second base and then the third base on consecutive pitches — a moment that impressed the owner.
Steinbrenner acknowledges that sometime in the next week, team members will evaluate the short-distance running and that Steinbrenner will participate in those discussions. In recent decades, some teams have chosen to thwart elite prospects in the minor leagues to manipulate their service time. Steinbrenner says service time will not be a factor in the choice of shortcut. The final decision rests with general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone, Steinbrenner reiterated, but Volpe “is clearly having a great spring… He’s definitely shown, at least in the early stages. this spring training session, that he can handle, play well and do different things.”
Steinbrenner said the team’s young players stood out for him this spring, from Volpe to Peraza to midfield players. Oswaldo Cabrera and Jason Dominguez, the strong young midfielder.
“For me personally, it’s very exciting because I’ve been following these kids for years,” says Steinbrenner. “For me, it’s always exciting, especially when it’s someone’s first spring training, like Volpe, that they perform and they perform well, and at the same time impress people like Judge. , that’s what they’re doing.”
Steinbrenner was booed at Yankee Stadium last year by fans impatient for another championship. Fourteen years have passed since the Yankees won the World Series championship in 2009, and fans often refer to the specter of Hal Steinbrenner’s belligerent father, George Steinbrenner, when criticizing Hal.
Hal Steinbrenner said that not being able to attend the World Series upsets him “every year. It’s bothered my dad for 18 years or whatever. It’s what our fans have come to expect. The best we can do is create a team that can win championships, and that’s what we try to do every year.”
