Yankees quest to get below luxury tax threshold continues

Now that the 2017 season has come to a close for the Yankees, Hal Steinbrenner will continue with his plan to shed salary in an effort to get below the $197 million luxury tax threshold.

I’ve heard from a number of Yankees fans over the past few days that they don’t care about the club getting under the luxury tax line, so long as a winning product is put out on the field.

Well, I’m here to tell you that you should care. Because whether or not Brian Cashman is brought back as general manager (and let’s hope he is), The Boss’ youngest son will push his iota on whoever is running the player operations department.

And it’s safe to say Cash has successfully navigated a treacherous path of grooming prospects, cutting salary and winning over the past 15 months under the new Steinbrenner regime.

The 2018 luxury tax threshold is set at $197 million, up from $189 million this year. The Yanks’ opening day roster in ’17 was worth $196 million, down from $226 million in 2016.

Throw in the fact that the club managed to make it all the way to Game 7 of the ALCS after shedding some $30 million, and it’s clear to see there’s no turning back now. Just read what Steinbrenner recently said to the NY Post.

“We are in a great position to do it,” he said. “If the younger players contributed, that always was big [to have low-cost options]. And they have. We still have some money to spend and we will be active in free agency, as we always are.”

After taking a look at some of the yearly increases built into contracts for next season, and those coming off the books in a matter of weeks, and it appears that the Yankees will have around $40 million to play with this winter.

The most staggering millionaires no longer on payroll include:

• CC Sabathia: $25 million
• Alex Rodriguez: $21.5 million
• Matt Holliday: $13 million
• Michael Pineda: $7.4 million

Whether or not Sabathia is brought back, and for how much, is a discussion saved for another time.

More from Yanks Go Yard

• Should Yankees toss short-term extension at Harrison Bader before 2023?
• Yankees chose worst possible player to ring in New Year on 2023 team calendar
• Yankees State of the Farm System Review: Josh Breaux
• Yankees make upside play, sign former Rangers top prospect outfielder
• MLB insider claims favorite emerging in Bryan Reynolds rumors (not Yankees)

It will be interesting to see which holes the organization looks to fill this off-season through free agency, as the crop of potential signees isn’t very fruitful.

Though the Yankees could use another solid starting pitcher, locking up a likely overpaid and injury rich shooters like Jake Arrieta, Yu Darvish or Andrew Cashner is doubtful.

As is bringing in stars the club doesn’t necessarily have a spot for like Eric Hosmer, JD Martinez or Mike Moustakas.

Instead, look for veterans like Yonder Alonso, Alex Cobb, Jason Vargas and Lance Lynn to get a long look.

The consensus all along has been that the organization will make one or two huge signings from the pool of game-changers that become available in 2019. You know the names by now:

• Bryce Harper
• Manny Machado
• Josh Donaldson
• Gio Gonzalez
• Andrew Miller
• Matt Harvey (I’m kidding!)

How the Yankees fare next season and the continued development of the fifth-best farm system in baseball will go a long way to deciding who inevitably comes to the Bronx in ’19.

While it’s way too early to concern ourselves with that, an affordable option to boost the pitching staff and/or DH is Japanese two-way star, Shohei Otani.

Otani, 23, is supposedly leaving Japan four years before he would be considered a full-fledged free agent and therefore, is only eligible to be paid out from the allocated international free agent pool ($4.75 million – $10 million).

The likelihood of making millions in endorsement deals and the chance to DH when not pitching could very well tip the scales in the Yanks’ direction — though, the Bombers will have to pony up the max $20 million release fee to Otani’s current club, the Nippon Ham Fighters.

Next: The Yanks proved a lot in 2017

Coming off an injury-plagued season, Otani only managed to go 2-2 with a 4.96 ERA in four starts, yet continued to show an apt bat, hitting .340 with eight homers and 31 RBI in 63 games.