Chris McMonigle understands the sentiment from Hal Steinbrenner when he told Meredith Marakovits of the YES Network that the Yankees can’t keep up with the spending level of the Dodgers, especially when considering the riches of Steinbrenner compared to LA’s ownership group.
But the understanding stops at the Yanks currently putting themselves in a self-imposed spending freeze as they look to shed Marcus Stroman’s contract and cut down payroll.
“I don’t want to hear from the owner, who is literally waiting to trade Marcus Stroman so there might be money for Kike Hernandez, that he has a chip on his shoulder,” C-Mac said. “I don’t want to hear from that owner that he’s sick about last year. I don’t want to hear from that owner, who went to the World Series, lost Juan Soto to the Mets, and is cutting payroll to the level of they are in do-absolutely-nothing mode, not the cheapest infielders they can find to fill the one clear need this roster has...that bothers me.
“If you’re gonna talk about having a chip on your shoulder...but you’re gonna get to the World Series and lose, get kicked while you’re down by some of the worst players on the Dodgers...and the response is, ‘I’m gonna cut payroll.’”
The Yanks have had a nice counter to losing Juan Soto, but C-Mac says some of that good grace has worn off with how they are handling the third base position, seemingly not making a move until they can guarantee that Stroman’s money is off the books. It’s frustrating, but still, he understands that Steinbrenner’s comments about the Dodgers isn’t off base. It just doesn’t sound great when the Yanks are operating the way they currently are when it comes to their last glaring roster need.
“I don’t expect him, nor do I think he should, be the Dodgers,” C-Mac said. “The Dodgers...they have more money than Steve Cohen. Not one individual person, but as a family, they have more money than Steve Cohen.
“I don’t expect any ownership group to treat their team like the Dodgers. No matter how much money the Yankees make, this is their business. This is how they make their money. They’re in debt for the stadium. It’s a $600 million bill every year for the stadium. That’s something George never had to deal with...they’re not making the money they think they’re making.”