A caller asked Keith if he felt the Yankees have spent enough money when weighing the profits they bring in as a franchise, and Keith said the proof is in the payroll.
“They are paying Juan Soto $31 million, that’s a record in arbitration,” Keith said. “They are paying Gerrit Cole $36 million. They are paying Aaron Judge $40 million, Giancarlo Stanton, Rodon, they are spending money.”
No, there were no big free agent signings this winter, at least so far, and it seems like bullpen help is the only thing left on the team’s to-do list. The best option on that front, Josh Hader, signed with the rival Astros, but it didn’t surprise Keith that the Yanks didn’t seem motivated to make that level of a splash.
“I don’t think they were ever gonna spend that much on a reliever,” Keith said. “They believe so much in their own bullpen and their ability to create these guys out of the bullpen. This offseason wasn’t built as the one to go out and spend. They were willing to spend on Yamamoto, but that’s about it.
“They’re not gonna spend on Blake Snell or beg Monty to come back and overpay him…I think they’ll explore the trade market before July 31, and that’s about it. This is the team.”
