Brian Cashman wouldn't specifically address Ted Lilly just now, but the Yankees general manager touched on the luxury tax ramifications of giving out a big contract. It sounds to me as if the Yankees will be passing. Just a hunch, but we'll see. If the Yankees sign Lilly to, say, a four-year, $40-million contract, it really would cost the Yankees a total investment of $56 million taking into account the luxury tax rate is 40 percent. (This is assuming they stay over the threshold throughout the contract.)
"I'd prefer to not pay that tax, but there’s nothing I can do to prevent it," he said. "If we have an interest in a free agent, I'm going to pay it. Is it precluding me on things? Not necessarily. But it does factor into your decision-making and all that. I'd like to bring the payroll down and we’ve done a good job so far. Right now I'm more interested in the comfort level of the demands, or the uncomfortable side of it."
Larry O'Brien, Lilly's agent, will be back in the hotel by 7. We'll know more then.
Comments (16)
Realistically the Yankees NEED a starter this is not yesteryear when we overpaid for a non importance , the reality of passing on Ted who wants to come here and get burned by Andy would be deadly
ALso remember The japanese pitcher is not signed yet so to sign Pettite and lilly really questions if they can and should sign THREE pitchers
Bronxbomber,it doesn't necessarily come down to Lilly and Pettitte .The Yanks can still swing other deals ,some of which might be on the table as we speak.
I know but what are the other options? I mean pettitie alone brings back that magic. i want it as where we really do rely on RJ and if he does well then cool
Igawa will be fairly cheap, by today's standards anyway. Probably less than $5M per year.
Why can't The Yankees win in both ways?
The Yankees spend and buy players - Yankees haters will say They are trying to win and buying a pennant. When They lose, They will they stinks and doesn't have enough pitching.
This Year when Yankees and Cashman are being patient this offseason. Yankees fans are screaming that They are cheap and put the blame on George.
The Yankees can't win in both ways?
The Yankees spend and buy players - Yankees haters will say They are trying to win and buying a pennant. When Yankees lose, Haters will say they aren't good enough and doesn't have enough pitching.
This Year when Yankees and Cashman are being patient this offseason. Yankees fans are screaming that They are cheap and put the blame on George.
Jim quoted Cashman as saying, "Right now I'm more interested in the comfort level of the demands, or the uncomfortable side of it."
Sounds like he's going to low-ball it and see how "uncomfortable" Lily might be w/ the Cubs.
JimA
But what worries me about Igawa is that old saying...."You get what you pay for".
All this talk about luxury taxes....the Yanks have already saved a bunch by getting rid of Sheffield and Wright, and Mussina took a pay cut too.
And, after this year, we get to chop RJ's 17 mil off the books. The year after that it will be Giambi's $20 mil and Mussina's $11.5 mil too. So, in just a couple of years, there will be more youth on the roster and the payroll and taxes will drop significantly.
We NEED Lilly NOW. Bite the bullet for a year or two and things will catch up financially. Back load the contract, or defer some of the money from this year and next for Lilly. Get creative here, but get the guys we need to win.
My goodness, we have been setting all kinds of attendence records and jacked up the seat prices. Let's do what needs to be done now and the payroll will come down in a year or two with the next youth movement.
redbug
Good point. I say make him a fair offer and let him decide. Maybe $40 mil for 4 years with some money defered. Maybe have salaries of $6 mil, $7 mil, $9 mil, and $10 mil with $8 mil defered.
Rick,
If Igawa comes cheap and doesn't pitch well, then they won't have a problem trading him to someone like KC who will take anyone, especially LH SP.
Jim
I don't think they got him with any thoughts to trade him though. It would also be bad public relations in Japan for them to do that. I think they were covering their butts in case other options didn't pan out. Now, they may be "stuck" with him when BETTER options are seeming to become available. He is unproven and a huge gamble.
Actually i say F japan if they sending over overrated garbage , the whole bidding thing is crap so if both pitchers on the yankees and bosox fizzle then you embarass japan by trading them to a garbage team then maybe they'll realize to check them selves on that bidding garbage
Bomber- That's a little harsh but the message that could be sent by not signing Igawa to a large deal could be that the posting system has serious flaws and needs to be changed.
the Yanks really want to keep the Asian market open to them so I don't think they will say "F Japan", not in so many words anyway.
Rick: I'm not saying they should trade him now, but down the road if he is not living up to expectations.
I know it's harsh but hey , I am appalled at seeing Well ESTABLISHED MLB Teams being suckered into "Bidding " For untested below standards players, if anything MLB should charge THEM 1 million just to have a conversation . and that the player should have a tryout facing our batters in a hard workout facing good hitters , i mean you should really know what the product is IN OUR STANDARDS!!! AMERICA MLB is hte highest level of baseball we should'nt be kissing no ones butt , they should be kissing ours , if they feel that is a problem then have your players honor their contracts, then come here as FA