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I can't think of a single reason why I would care if the Yankees didn't have the highest payroll in the game. They are the richest team in the game/have the most revenues attributable to their baseball operations. Why would they not have the highest payroll in the game?

Also, this assumes the Yankees do not sign Sabathia or Texeira as free agents.

I wouldn't count on $133m. Sabathia? Tex? But if we can have a better team in 2009 for $160m, that's a great accomplishment compared to a $210m 2007 team.

I think it's good that Cashman is concerned about payroll. We will always be able to spend, but spending wisely and looking towards the future is nothing but smart business.

Wouldn't it be really nice to have a better season the Detroit, the Sox and the sMets at a comprable or even less payroll?

i really could care less about trying to lower the payroll to not be the highest payroll in baseball. They have money, and they should use that to their advantage, as long as they do it in an intelligent manner.

fans of other teams should scream to have a payroll as high as the yankees; we, as yankees fans, should not cross our fingers in hopes that they are no longer the highest payroll in baseball.

I think you guys are completely missing the point here. It has nothing to do with caring about them not having the highest payroll or wanting them to use all their resources.

The point here is that if they are not first in payroll then who would have thought that would ever happen again?

In this day and age of baseball, I would have thought the Yankees would be # 1 in payroll every year. This just goes to show other teams are spending more money and not pocketing it, which is good for the game of baseball. Of course that won't matter if they go out and spend $40 million this offseason.

When was the last time the Yankees weren't first in payroll ?

I'm still trying to figure out how the Red Sox didn't shed any players from last year's team and yet managed to reduce payroll. What sort of voodoo economics is Lucchino using up there?

As far as possibly not being #1 in total payroll next year, I think that's great. If the team can become more efficient it'll leave the type of financial flexibility we've been lacking over the past several years. Plus, the added bonus is that we don't have to listen to so-called small market owners bitching and moaning about the big, bad Yankees. They'll still whine, but not about this.

I'm still trying to figure out how the Red Sox didn't shed any players from last year's team and yet managed to reduce payroll. What sort of voodoo economics is Lucchino using up there?
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Didn't they lose Matt Clement?

The Yankees are going to need a RFer, unless 2 of Tabata, Jackson and Melky can prove to be enough to round out the outfield with Damon. I suppose if they sign Texiera they'd replace the missing offense from Abreu and then some. So add at least $15M to $133. Still, $150 is right there with those other teams.

Didn't they lose Matt Clement?
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How much was Clement making? Weren't the Red Sox in $150M territory last year? That would be a $17M contract and I doubt he was paid that much.

As was pointed out several years back, the Yanks were on a path to become a team that spends their $$ wisely and have a productive farm system.

If people thought they were dangerous before, they ain't seen nothing yet.

I'm still trying to figure out how the Red Sox didn't shed any players from last year's team and yet managed to reduce payroll. What sort of voodoo economics is Lucchino using up there?
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Courtesy of baseball-reference
Eric Hinske $ 5,625,000
Joel Pineiro $ 4,000,000
Wily Mo Pena $ 1,875,000
Royce Clayton $ 1,500,000
Brendan Donnelly $ 1,400,000

Hit the reply button a bit too quick; B-R had the Red Sox @ $143,026,214 last season

When was the last time the Yankees weren't first in payroll ?
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1998 ($66,806,867), when the Orioles were first in MLB ($72,355,634)

Est. payroll, according to B-R

The Yankees will remain Number 1 in payroll for the forseeable future.If they tank this year,there is no way that Hal and Cashman(if he's still around) can not spend money on guys that will be free agents.It doesn't mean that they will solve any problems if they do,but the fanbase is too spoiled otherwise.

Yanks ain't tanking this year buddy and by next year they will have even more major league ready talent.

Thanks for the info Raf.

I think the payroll disparity is obscene. I will be happy to see it come down.

I think the payroll disparity is obscene. I will be happy to see it come down.
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To be fair, a chunk of payroll was tied into keeping the "core" of the team together; Martinez, Jeter, O'Neill, Bernie, Mo, Posada, etc, etc, etc services had been retained longer than what other teams would have done. Add in contracts assumed by the Yanks that were given by other teams; Abreu, Lidle, Brown, Rodriguez, etc, etc, etc, and it's not difficult to see why the Yanks' payroll was as high was it was