Yankees to break $200 million barrier; in New York, that's chump change

[Ducks]

Yankees to break $200 million barrier; in New York, that's chump change
By RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer
January 1, 2005

NEW YORK (AP) -- There appear to be few, if any, limits to what the Yankees can afford, the reason they can add Randy Johnson and perhaps Carlos Beltran to their firmament of stars. Then again, money is no object when you play in a city where apartments sell for $44 million, nursery schools can command $24,000, and dinner for two at a top restaurant can cost $1,000.

New York's acquisition of Randy Johnson from Arizona, which is likely to be completed next week, will boost the Yankees' payroll to about $205 million, easily topping the major league record of $187.9 million they set in 2004.

The Yankees, with a bottomless pit of cash and, some would say, arrogance, must pay a $25 million luxury tax for last season -- about $600,000 more than Tampa Bay's entire payroll.

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Owner George Steinbrenner certainly doesn't mind spending as long as the World Series flag flies above his ballpark. Problem is, it hasn't since 2000. But that hasn't stopped him.

``When you accept big money from Mr. Steinbrenner,'' first baseman Tino Martinez said, ``you have to win.''

Martinez, who helped the Yankees win four World Series titles and five American League pennants from 1996-01, rejoined the team Friday as a backup to Jason Giambi. He knows how Yankees fans view last season's team, which was an inning away from sweeping Boston in the AL championship series only to become the first major league team to squander a 3-0 lead in a best-of-seven series.

``They came up short, they failed,'' Martinez said bluntly. ``They have to win a world championship. That's what they're there for.''

New York and Arizona finalized paperwork Friday for the Johnson trade and plan to submit it Monday to commissioner Bud Selig for approval. The Yankees are sending the Diamondbacks pitcher Javier Vazquez, prospects Brad Halsey and Dioner Navarro and $9 million. As part of the deal, they want a 72-hour window to discuss a contract extension for Johnson, a 41-year-old left-hander who has won five Cy Young Awards.

The Yankees' economics are far different from those of every other major league team. Their box seats near the infield will go for $90 a game next year.

Of course, that's peanuts and Cracker Jacks for the city's well-heeled baseball fans. For many New Yorkers, money really is no obstacle.

For example, this week at Zabar's, a famous West Side food emporium, there was an express line just for caviar. At Citarella, another mecca for gourmands, white truffles were going for $199 an ounce.

Fans of cabaret singer Bobby Short pay a $95 cover charge before he ever tickles the ivories or a single drink is poured at Cafe Carlyle.

Those numbers are infinitesimal when compared to Manhattan's booming real-estate prices. According to Halstead's third-quarter survey, the average sale price of a small two-bedroom apartment was $963,127 in the third quarter. The average for a large two-bedroom was $1,277,401.

Perhaps the most incredible example of all: News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch is in the process of buying a three-floor Fifth Avenue apartment from the late Laurance S. Rockefeller's estate and will pay $44 million in cash -- no mortgages allowed. That tops the record $42.25 million businessman David Martinez paid when he bought two condominium units to combine them into one at the Time Warner Center.

The Yankees had revenues of roughly $315 million in 2004, taking in about $130 million from ticket sales alone. Boston, which had the No. 2 payroll at $130 million, estimated its revenue at $220 million.

Yankees manager Joe Torre, as well as Yankees fans, know that after he plucks these stars from other teams, Steinbrenner readies himself for the new season by thinking about 162 wins, 0 losses, and postseason sweeps all the way through the World Series.

Anything less is a failure.

``When you work for George Steinbrenner,'' Torre said, ``whether you're the favorite or you're not the favorite, you're expected to win.''

No matter the price.

[JamesR]

Bah, Yankees Suck.

No World Series agian next year for the Evil Empire

[N.Y. Johnny S]

Originally Posted by JamesR

Bah, Yankees Suck.

No World Series agian next year for the Evil Empire

Thats probably the most likely result of this.

I agree the Yanks are overspending and I wouldn't mind seeing a damn salary cap in MLB, but what bothers me is that those folks that whine about the Yankees and overspending and salary caps, well look here, The Boston Red Sox have become the Yankees in beating them, they're also up there with sky high pay rolls and not a peep of outrage.

MLB does need a salary cap i couldn't agree more, but its not just New York Yankees sending the sport to hell, its the big markets like NY, Boston, and L.A. / Anaheim out there. Poor scrubs like Cinncinnatti, Milwaukee, and Kansas City have no chance in hell.

[JamesR]

I think the reason that the BoSox don't have people pissed at them about the pay roll is that they don't say "We're gonna get this guy" and dangle huge amounts of $ in front of them.

And people like to root for them because of the "curse"

[N.Y. Johnny S]

Originally Posted by JamesR

I think the reason that the BoSox don't have people pissed at them about the pay roll is that they don't say "We're gonna get this guy" and dangle huge amounts of $ in front of them.

And people like to root for them because of the "curse"

well Jim, the curse is over with they're not loveable losers no more now they're just another big market team LIKE the New York Yankees that sit down at the table and get fat and eat all there is and won't leave crumbs for the rest of the league.

both Boston and NY are whats wrong with MLB. I agree with you the Yankees because of them being the Yankees are more arrogant about it and boast they can do whatever the hell they want whenever, but the BoSox quietly also do the same, jacking the Payrolls up to near the $200 Million mark

Also teams like The Orioles make me sick they POCKET the salary tax money that the league gives them rather than spend it on players, these teams cry cry their going broke but they pocket that money and thats also wrong!

[JamesR]

But the Orioles have sucked for years, so thats their punishment

[Grego]

Yankees overpay but they don't pay well to put together a team. They have recently gone after people who are past their best years. All that star power, but no continutity.

[N.Y. Johnny S]

Originally Posted by Grego

Yankees overpay but they don't pay well to put together a team. They have recently gone after people who are past their best years. All that star power, but no continutity.

I agree and thats Steinbrenner buying up big names instead of guys that will get the job done.
they're overpaying for Steroid Junkies like Giambi and Sheffield
worthless bastards like Kevin Brown and Javier Vasquez, old ass has beens like Kenny Lofton, Ruben Sierra who was freaking playing major league ball since Cuba was democratic last in 1959 was on the roster, its just a mess
A-Rod to New York didn't produce a f'n thing and now talk of Beltran to NY, i'm not sure i like that move myself. I think you assemble you a "TEAM" like that 98 team role players and guys that get the job done, not big names that won't produce a damn thing when its crunch time ...."giambi :cough: A-rod"
you gotta have guys like Brosius, Paul O'neill, Tino Martinez, Shane Spencer, guys that made the team a team.
this individuality is a bunch of horse dung, and whoever is putting these yankee teams together now a days has no more clue bout baseball than they do about fornicating.