Hal Steinbrenner heard plenty of criticism on Tuesday night after he told Meredith Marakovits of the YES Network that he is among several teams in the league that can’t keep up with the Dodgers spending, as the reigning World Series champs continue their historic spending spree.
BT is not among those critics, and he says those going off on the Yankee owner are missing the mark, and likely misinformed.
“I think it’s a gross misportrayal of what Hal is really saying,” BT said. “Hal is just being very honest, and setting up a very distinct difference between what he has access to financially and what the Dodgers have access to.
“I’m not feeling sorry for the Yankees...if you hear that, it’s very easy to rip, but Hal is not wrong.”
The Yankees are the most valuable franchise in the sport, per Forbes, and Hal Steinbrenner is worth billions. But, upon closer look, he is worth far, far less than the Dodgers ownership group’s combined financial might, and while LA brings in less revenue, the Yanks don’t have the same money to spend, and it’s hard to compete with a team on the Pacific coast where most Japanese stars nowadays like Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto seem to prefer.
“The Dodgers, their group, they’re worth about $330 billion,” BT said. “Anyone at this point that is just railing on the Yankees...I really think you’re off base. I don’t think it’s an accurate portrayal of what’s going on.
“I will admit, it took me a while to change this mindset. When all you do is win, you become accustomed to it and become comfortable with the way you win. The way they won...Giambi’s free? Let’s get him. Sabathia? Let’s get him. Matsui is coming over from Japan? Lock him up. Those days are over...I understand the game has changed.”
Still, the Yanks were in the Fall Classic last year, and they hardly pinched their pockets by any means this winter, signing Max Fried while trading for Cody Bellinger and Devin Williams. BT is mainly satisfied with how Steinbrenner has operated, and is growing tired of comparisons to George, and now to the Dodgers.
“You guys can go nuts about the Yankees spending,” BT said. “Here’s what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna have fun watching the Yankees, who, I can promise you, at the end of the season, will be right there.
“You guys gotta get over this Dodgers stuff. It’s getting old.”