MLB trade rumors: Yankees have a lot of ‘money to spend’ at deadline

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said general manager Brian Cashman has a “considerable amount of money to spend” in the right trade before the July deadline.

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Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has been front and center in recent weeks, confirming that the team intends to seek starting pitching before the trade deadline.

He’s also said he’s not afraid to add payroll to make it happen.

Steinbrenner said it again recently. In an interview with the YES Network’s Meredith Marakovits, Steinbrenner said the Yankees could take on more salary.

He even left open the possibility that he allows general manager Brian Cashman to goe over the $197-million payroll luxury tax threshold — however minute that chance actually is.

“I would have to see where we are, who the person is, how badly that position needs help, so to speak, but I will say, we have a considerable amount of money to spend and I’m not adverse to spending it,” he said. “A considerable amount even staying under (the threshold). We’ve got some options there, flexibility.”

9 immediate Yankees options

Steinbrenner said the team will “look at all options,” though he’d rather not part with the Yankees’ premier young talent.

“But there’s no doubt that I am always been slightly adverse to letting these young players go. But we’ve done it,” he said. “You’ve got to do it. We’re just fortunate enough to have a rich, robust farm system to do it from. We’ll look at all options and nothing’s a no and nothing’s a yes right now. We’ve got some time but it’s not an easy thing to do.”

Steinbrenner said he’s been pleased overall with the Yankees’ season.

“I think we’ve done well,” he said. “We’ve had some key injuries. Obviously, (Masahiro) Tanaka missed a month. (Jordan) Montgomery out for the year. But the team keeps winning, keeps producing runs. The young kids keep coming up and contributing and helping out. Obviously, we’re right there, tied atop the division. It’s a two-man fight right now, so to speak, and no one else around. It’s going to be an interesting deal.”

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.