Money can buy mostly anything, including World Championships for major sports franchises in many cases, however that was not the case for New York Yankees’ co-owners Hank and Hal Steinbrenner this season.  The Yankees $203 million payroll this season ranked second highest in the majors behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

For the sake of comparison, the American League champion Boston Red Sox had a $140 million payroll and the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals had a $102 million payroll.  Meanwhile, the team with the lowest payroll to make the playoffs this season came from the Yankees’ own division.  The Tampa Bay Rays forked out only $57 million to players this season, a mere 28 percent of what the Steinbrenner’s paid out. 

However, none of that matters right now as Yankee fans look ahead to the 2014 season.  Early reports indicate that the front office plans to trim the team’s payroll by $14 million, while signing major free agents at the same time.   This may seem like a huge contradiction, but let’s take a look at the intricacies and ‘if-then’ scenarios involved this offseason. 

Before any transactions involving free agents and re-signing their own players, the Yankees are said to be dropping $90 million from the 2013 payroll.  This is made possible by the retirements of pitchers Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte, as well as four others becoming free agents, including outfielder Curtis Granderson.  Vernon Wells and Alfonso Soriano are owed almost $44 million combined next season, but only a small percentage of that burden will fall upon the Yankees.  In accordance to trade agreements, the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago Cubs, respectively, will be paying the majority of their salaries. 

There are also two variables which could dramatically impact the Yankees’ team salary for the 2014 season.  They can save $7.5 million if Derek Jeter picks up his player option which would decrease his salary from $17 million to $9.5 million.  The second variable involves the suspension of third baseman Alex Rodriguez.  If the suspension is upheld, the Yankees would not be responsible for paying his $25 million salary for 2014 (which could become $31 million if he hits six homeruns to tie Willie Mays with 660 dingers). 

Finally, on to the Yankees plan to spend $300 million this offseason, while still arriving at or around a $189 million payroll for the 2014 season.  It all starts with current second baseman Robinson Cano.  Cano could cost the Yankees upwards of $200 million over the duration of the contract, depending on what other teams are offering.  Another key piece to the puzzle is free agent catcher, Brian McCann, who will most certainly be the most sought after catcher this offseason.  His above average defensive and offensive ability could fetch a five year contract worth over $75 million.  The last high profile target on the Yankees’ free agent radar, Carlos Beltran, is set to play in the first World Series of his career.  The 37 year old outfielder could bring another $25 million to the Yankees’ payroll over two years.

Here comes the wild card of the Yankees’ offseason spending plans.  It comes in the form of Japanese pitching sensation Masahiro Tanaka.  The 24 year old right hander is set to be put up for auction this winter for major league teams to bid on, similar to what happened with Yu Darvish.  Tanaka was 24-0 (yes, you read that correctly) with a 1.27 earned run average.  That kind of dominance is expected to drive the bidding up to around $50 million.  Remember though that the bidding cost is not involved with the actual contract, which still has to be negotiated after bidding rights have been purchased.  Tanaka’s contract would expect to be similar to Darvish’s initial deal which was $60 million over six years. 

According to sources, if the Yankees signed three out of four of those high profile free agents (Cano, McCann, Beltran, and Tanaka), Jeter activates his player option, AND Rodriguez’s suspension is upheld, the club’s payroll will be around $14 million less in 2014.  So, is it a good idea for the Steinbrenners to go on a $300 million spending spree when other teams such as the Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, and Cincinnati Reds are having continued success for considerably less?  I think the answer is why the heck not?  At the end of the day, the front office is going to do what they think gives them the best shot at a World Championship.