The only thing stopping the Yankees from becoming the world champions is the Yankees themselves. A few days ago, we saw Hal Steinbrenner talk about how the Yankees don’t have money and can’t spend much over a Zoom call. After those comments, the Yankees fanbase, including former players, is not holding back.

In a recent episode, former Yankees player Clint Frazier talked about how those comments by Hal Steinbrenner. “A big market payroll means nothing if you’re making small market decisions,” Frazier said. “Fans aren’t buying it as the team has around an $ 8.2 billion franchise valuation… Stein Burner says, ‘I feel really good about where our infield is at next year.’ Do you?… your shortstop fell off that cliff, and he’s injured.”

Hal Steinbrenner recently told reporters the New York Yankees finished 2025 with a $319 million payroll and argued it would be “ideal” to spend less next season. He denied that the club necessarily turned a profit despite its high revenues, citing hefty yearly expenses, including roughly $100 million payments to New York City for Yankee Stadium, and investments in player development and scouting.

He stressed the need to consider both revenue and expense sides when judging the team’s financial health.

Former Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier publicly criticized Steinbrenner’s remarks as “playing the poverty card,” calling it absurd for the owner of an $8.2 billion franchise to claim financial hardship. Frazier argued that if the team truly earned hundreds of millions in revenue, the spending should reflect that success.

Many fans echo that sentiment, believing Steinbrenner’s caution reflects a “small-market” mindset rather than a championship-first approach.

At the same time, the club has failed to address persistent roster issues, especially at shortstop with Anthony Volpe. Volpe slumped offensively in 2025 while playing through a torn labrum in his shoulder, but he remains under team control through 2028. If ownership continues to prioritize financial caution over aggressive roster upgrades, fans worry the Yankees might drift further from a World Series window.

Hal Steinbrenner can say the payroll is fine, but fans remember trophies, not excuses. Clint Frazier may be blunt, yet his words echo louder than any Zoom defense offered. If the Yankees keep acting small while worth billions, maybe the banner should read “Almost.”

Yankees’ Corey Seager dream takes a hit after Mets-Rangers surprise swap

Some moments in the offseason feel like the universe exists purely to annoy Yankees fans, and this was one of them. Just when it looked like the universe might finally hand over Corey Seager, the Rangers pulled a move that rewrote the mood in seconds. Now the Yankees are stuck watching and waiting while Texas shifts the board in their favor.

The New York Yankees monitored Corey Seager due to roster need and elite lefty production last year. Seager hit .327 with 33 homers and 96 RBI during the 2023 regular season. His 42 doubles and dependable glove improved Texas’ defense and offensive balance overall. The Yankees viewed him as a strong upgrade while monitoring the Rangers’ contractual flexibility all offseason.

Then news of the Semien trade shifted expectations and slowed momentum for everyone. The Rangers moved Marcus Semien and received Brandon Nimmo plus 5 million in salary support. Nimmo carries 101.25 million remaining while Semien carries 72 million guaranteed through 2027. That adjustment lowered AAV by 4.75 million and complicated possible Seager talks moving forward.

So for now, the Yankees wait while Corey Seager remains firmly in Texas quietly. Fans hold onto hope yet every move feels like Texas changing the script again. Until something breaks, the Yankees stay ready because patience is apparently part business of operations.