Overview
- Hal Steinbrenner said lowering expenses would be ideal but left open spending for moves he believes improve title chances, and he defended manager Aaron Boone after the ALDS exit.
- Reuters linked New York to left-handed slugger Kyle Tucker and NPB right-hander Tatsuya Imai, with a potential Bellinger reunion also floated in coverage.
- Cot’s projects the current Yankees payroll around $278.1 million after Trent Grisham accepted the qualifying offer and five relievers were non-tendered, with ESPN noting outfield and bullpen help remain needs.
- Analysts estimate New York could have roughly $65 million of room near a soft luxury-tax ceiling to pursue a major bat and Imai, though Mets-focused projections also position Imai as a top target in Queens.
- Imai is drawing widespread interest after a 1.92 ERA, 178-strikeout NPB season, while market chatter frames Kyle Schwarber as a more attainable power bat for teams seeking shorter-term commitments.