Hal doesn't think the Steinbrenners are cheap, won't be selling the team

Greg's piece from yesterday lends interesting perspective to the uneasy relationship Yankee supporters have had with ownership in the era of Hank and Hal Steinbrenner. Losing Yoan Moncada to the Red Sox has been only the most recent move - or lack thereof - that has drawn the ire of the fanbase. It has led to renewed accusations of cheapness directed at the Yankee brass. Scan the forums and comment threads around the internet and you'll find a fair few calls for the Steinbrenners to sell the team, or at least suggestions that the Yankees would be better served by them choosing to do so.

The calls have grown loud enough, apparently, to justify the question being put to Hal Steinbrenner, who in an interview with the New York Post declared in fairly unequivocal fashion that there are no plans for a change in ownership.

"The family is not selling the team. We have no intentions of selling the team. You can quote me on that. I am not sure why everyone continues to ask that. The Steinbrenner family is not selling a majority stake in the New York Yankees. We are not going anywhere."

Beyond that though, Hal expressed surprise at the criticism about potentially being overly thrifty. Steinbrenner pointed to the projected payroll of approximately $235 million, the free agent commitments to Chase Headley and Andrew Miller despite the lack of money coming off the books, and the $30 million in international amatuer free agent spending before the same again in fines. Steinbrenner also mentioned the luxury tax, revenue sharing, and financing costs of the new stadium, but mostly it went back to the previously expressed sentiment of simply not believing the team needs to increase expenditure far beyond where it is now.

"Do I think it is intelligent to end up at a $270 million or $280 million payroll? I never have."

Agree or disagree, this coupled with the previous statement suggesting the Steinbrenners will remain majority owners in the near future means that the Yankees effectively have payroll capped at current levels.

Hal Steinbrenner went into further detail about the offers made to Yoan Moncada. The team had a standing offer of a $12.5 million bonus out throughout the process, doubling it to $25 million in the final weekend. Steinbrenner clearly gave the impression of being the key voice beyond choosing not to raise the offer further, unwilling to match the $60+ million sum of bonus and fines to continue competing with the Boston Red Sox.

"For Moncada, that was just how far I was going to go for a player who is 19 years old and at least two years away from the majors with all the uncertainties that can happen with a prospect even that good."

Hal Steinbrenner ultimately decided that $50 million was as much as he was willing to risk on the potential of Yoan Moncada. Perhaps it was the right decision based on present information, perhaps not. Either way it will ultimately be judged in time based on the success of Moncada's career, particularly if he eventually makes the major leagues as a Red Sox.

Among other quotes in the two New York Post stories, were further positive sentiments about Hal Steinbrenner regarding the direction of the franchise, as well as the jobs being done by Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman. However, Hal has set an ambitious goal of competing for a championship, and suggested that failing to make the postseason would be an embarrassment. Hal Steinbrenner specifically did not rule out any level of organisation change should the Yankees miss the postseason for a third straight year.

No pressure, 2015 New York Yankees...