A new MLB rumor suggests the New York Yankees and New York Mets are looking at filling the same need before Opening Day. But the two wealthy teams want to do it at a bargain basement rate.
The Yankees and Mets ended the 2024 season as two of the four best teams in baseball by reaching their respective league championship series. Unfortunately, both came up short of the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in October. That is why they made a concerted effort to get better this offseason.
Heading into Opening Day this week, the pair of New York clubs are viewed as some of the best in the league — when healthy. Yet, that does not mean they don’t have obvious holes heading into the new season. The Yanks and Mets have been linked to adding a bat — specifically a righty — during spring training.
This weekend, New York Post MLB insider Joel Sherman reported both organizations are looking high and low to add a righty before they start this season later this week. But their search comes with a caveat.
New York Yankees and New York Mets want to add a righty bat for cheap
“Both New York teams, the Yankees particularly, have been inclined against adding significantly to the payroll to fill these roles,” Sherman wrote. “Both are over the top luxury tax threshold. So if, for example, either were to trade for infielder Santiago Espinal, who is viewed as available by the Reds in the right situations, it would cost them not just his $2.4 million 2025 salary, but a 100 percent tax.
“Thus, he would be roughly a $5 million addition and, therefore, doubtful for either New York club.”
The specific roles the teams want to fill are a right-handed infielder for the New York Mets and an infielder or corner outfielder for the New York Yankees. The Mets have held off on finalizing their opening-day roster with the hopes of finding a veteran righty to platoon with Brett Baty at second. The Yanks want an upgrade over Oswaldo Peraza and a potential bat to platoon with youngster Jasson Dominguez.
It’s surprising a pair of wealthy teams that are in title contention would not want to spend a few extra million due to the luxury tax. But this is still a business and millions saved still matter.
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