The New York Yankees enter the 2025 MLB season with hopes of making another World Series run.
In 2024, the Yankees won the American League before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. In the offseason, they lost Juan Soto to the New York Mets. On top of that, the Yankees are dealing with injuries to stars such as Giancarlo Stanton, Luis Gil and Gerrit Cole.
Still, the Yankees payroll is one of the biggest in the MLB and fans expect another deep playoff run.
Yankees Fans Frustrated After Financial Report
Recently, Boardroom posted a graphic on Instagram about the Yankees’ income from 2024, in which they received a record $412 million in tickets and luxury suites during last season.
After the numbers came out, Yankees fans were frustrated about the lack of spending relative to other big market organizations.
“And Hal says they can’t afford to increase payroll? The playoffs alone payed for like a third of the roster,” one fan wrote.
“And still no lineup,” wrote another.
“Yet all you hear is budget and luxury tax excuses,” another fan complained.
“And yet we do not have a 3B, lead off hitter or true left fielder. There is a problem with the equation,” stated another.
“And they can’t go and get more pitching and a 3rd baseman sell the team,” another fan said.
“All this to lose to the Dodgers,” stated another.
Despite the current Yankees lineup featuring Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and others, there are still noticeable gaps, as fans have pointed out. They’re calling for more moves in hopes of contending for the World Series. With the influx of money, fans are left wondering why more aggressive moves haven’t been made.
Hal Steinbrenner Had Interesting Comments From February
In February, Hal Steinbrenner, the Yankees owner, discussed the payroll correlation to winning titles, although he didn’t seem too concerned about it, per Jorge Castillo of ESPN.
“Does having a huge payroll really increase my chances that much of winning the championship?” Steinbrenner said. “I’m not sure there’s a strong correlation there. Having said that, we’re the New York Yankees, we know what our fans expect. We’re always going to be one of the highest in payroll. That’s not going to change. And it certainly didn’t change this year.”
According to Spotrac, the Yankees have the fourth-highest payroll in the MLB, behind the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies, respectively.
Still, fans expect more from an organization that reportedly earned $410 million just on tickets and suites in 2024.