NEW YORK — Wearing a Peter Millar half-zip and dress sneakers at the MLB offices on Tuesday, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner almost seemed like one of the fans in the jersey store downstairs, decrying noncompetitiveness across the sport.
The Yankees’ payroll of $278 million is the second highest in major league history—following only this year’s Mets, whose roster costs $331 million. Meanwhile, the A’s are set to spend $57 million, which would have been the lowest payroll as far back as 2015. After rattling off six straight victories, Oakland is on pace to win 43 games.
Steinbrenner declined to single out A’s owner John Fisher despite a few opportunities during a 22-minute media availability as the quarterly owners’ meetings opened, but Steinbrenner made it clear he does not appreciate it when his peers cry poor.
