Hal Steinbrenner only talks to reporters in group settings once or twice a year, so when he does, he typically fields a hodgepodge of questions.
Such was the case on Wednesday, when the Yankees owner, speaking from the comfort of Tampa and through a camera lens, conducted a Zoom with members of the media. The 54-minute session primarily focused on another premature playoff exit; Steinbrenner’s disappointment in his offense; and his continued backing of Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman, who both spoke as well.
But with the threat of an expected lockout looming, Wednesday was also a chance to ask Steinbrenner about labor-related issues before Major League Baseball’s Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on Dec. 1. It was a perfectly reasonable and relevant subject to broach with Steinbrenner, as he serves on MLB’s labor policy committee.
Steinbrenner disagreed, showing frustration with questions about his stance on a salary cap, the thing owners crave most in the next CBA. He became visibly irritated by a second inquiry on the topic, saying it’s “just not appropriate” with the low-budget Rays and Brewers preparing for Game 1 of the World Series on Friday.
“I’m not going to get into a whole lot of labor,” Steinbrenner said when first asked if he supports a salary cap and why. “I’ve said before. Let me put it this way as a member of the labor policy committee: I helped craft, one of many, the proposals that we have given at the bargaining table, and I support those proposals in their entirety. I mean, that’s absolutely the case. So that should answer your question.”
As Steinbrenner alluded to, he has voiced conditional support for a salary cap in the past, so long as it comes with a salary floor. What he hasn’t really explained, however, is how a cap would benefit his team’s ability to compete when he is able to finance one of baseball’s top three payrolls on an annual basis.
That was the question that annoyed Steinbrenner, who is backing a system that would strip his team of a financial advantage while falling in line with other billionaire ballclub owners, who tend to vote as a unified bloc.
“Listen, guys, we’re two days away from the World Series, OK?” replied Steinbrenner, who funded a franchise record CBT payroll, projected at $341.8 million, in 2026. “This, in my mind, is a time to celebrate the game. We’ve got two teams that were the best in their respective leagues, record-wise. They deserve to be there. We got two fanbases, two cities, they’re ecstatic. Now’s not the time I’m going to start labor conversations. It just is not.
“What I will say is, as a member of the labor policy committee, is that we are working hard on our end. We are completely focused on the task ahead of us, on the negotiating, and I’m optimistic we’re gonna get a deal done, and we’re gonna get a deal done that’s favorable for both sides. That’s really all about it. I don’t want to take anything away from what’s going on right now and the excitement in the game, because the World Series is getting ready to start. It’s just not appropriate.”
Perhaps Steinbrenner would consider the Owners Meetings, the next of which will take place in New York City from Nov. 17-19, a more tasteful setting for such questions. The problem with that is Steinbrenner doesn’t always speak at the Owners Meetings, so Wednesday was the only guaranteed opportunity to ask him about anything before the CBA expires.
It would also be good to know — not that Steinbrenner would necessarily say —how the uncertainty surrounding baseball’s future labor and economic models will impact the Yankees’ offseason.
The last time there was a lockout, which lasted from Dec. 2, 2021 to March 20, 2022, teams committed over $2 billion in free agency before the work stoppage. The Yankees, however, waited until after the lockout to make their biggest moves. Re-signing Anthony Rizzo was their only significant transaction in free agency, and they made an ill-fated trade for Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ben Rortvedt.
It was a quiet offseason.
The Yankees can’t afford to take the same approach this winter, as fans expect changes with their team in the midst of a 17-year title drought.
Steinbrenner, as loyal as his father was quick to fire someone, declined to shake things up with Boone and Cashman. However, he did express disappointment in the Bombers’ offense, which is sure to feature some new names in 2027 with Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Trent Grisham headed for free agency.
“This year, the offensive performance — just Hal’s opinion — really was detrimental to accomplishing numerous things,” Steinbrenner said, “including the ultimate goal of winning a championship, and we’re going to be looking into it.”
A cap would also be detrimental to the Yankees’ chances of winning a World Series. But that, apparently, is something Steinbrenner isn’t ready to discuss.