Tony Clark pushes back on Hal Steinbrenners $300M…
TAMPA — There’s nothing like some CBA discuss to put a damper on spring coaching, particularly when it looks like baseball could possibly be headed for an additional work stoppage after the latest settlement expires following the 2026 season.
But that’s the place the game is, as commissioner Rob Manfred and MLBPA govt director Tony Clark get their speaking factors prepared heading into the season.
Clark was at Steinbrenner Field on Monday as half of his MLB-wide tour of camps to handle issues amongst his union relating to the sport, its guidelines and economics.
Tony Clark is pictured during a Yankees-Dodgers World Series
recreation in October 2024. Charles Wenzelberg
And after Yankees proprietor Hal Steinbrenner reiterated that he doesn’t consider a $300 million payroll is sustainable for his franchise and that he’d favor a wage cap if it got here together with a flooring, Clark responded Monday.
Asked about Steinbrenner’s statements, Clark — who was a Yankee in 2004 — paused earlier than answering.
“There are teams who are, year in and year out, focused on putting the best team on the field that they can,’’ Clark said. “There are some teams that are interested in having a system that affords them the ability to not have to make certain decisions. I had an opportunity to play for the Yankees in 2004, and we came up short [after being] up 3-0 in the playoffs against Boston. I still don’t sleep well. Each time you come up short, you look for a way to try to be the last team standing. I understand the concern around the number, or the point being made around the number. But New York is in a pretty good financial position.”
Hal Steinbrenner is pictured earlier than the Yankees’ spring coaching recreation in opposition to the Cardinals on Feb. 26. Charles Wenzelberg
And as Steinbrenner famous final month, the Yankees proceed to have one of the best payrolls within the recreation.
Their luxurious tax payroll presently sits round $307 million to $308 million, which is above the best tax threshold of $301 million.
What’s more damaging for the game than whether or not the Yankees match the Dodgers or the Mets greenback for greenback is that each side are making ready for a battle even with a 12 months left earlier than negotiations are set to start.
And the likelihood of a wage cap will again be an difficulty.
“You don’t have to have a cap to address the concerns that are being voiced,’’ Clark said of the league. “We have made proposals. There’s a reason they want a salary cap and it’s not tied to competitive balance. It’s tied to benefits ownership and the league are going to get. The game doesn’t need it.”
Clark was additionally unmoved by complaints in regards to the Dodgers’ spending this offseason.
“What the Dodgers are doing is no different than what other teams have done in the past,’’ Clark said. “The sky has been falling in our industry for decades. What I think and what I know is the players believe the game itself is in a great place when all 30 teams are focused on being the last team standing. We know all 30 teams can do that, should they choose to.”
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