Actually your argument should be turned on its head. With rising tax thresholds and possible declining payroll over the next few years, the Yanks are narrowing the gap there, in fact could get under the threshold in 2010 if some prospects filled the coming holes.

For example, put Jackson in CF, and 2 of Melky, Gardner, Tabata, Curtis, or Carson (I’m really starting to like this guy as a back up OF) in another spot plus reserve. Add 1 high priced guy. Contrast to current OF of Melky (he’ll be making quite a bit more in 2 years if he’s still worthy of a spot), with Damon, Matsui, and Abreu ($42 mil for those 3). Possible big cut. Will our 1B be making Giambi’s $23 mil? IF will be up, especially Cano, but will Jeter (or, okay I said it, another SS) get over $20 MM in 2011? Jorge is frozen (assuming he’s still at C), no back up C should cost more than Molina. Could save another mil if somebody in the system can replace Betemit. And development of some prospects should mean a big cut in pitching cost. Mo is frozen, but done in 2010. The threshold will be $170 mil in ‘10, $178 in ‘11, compared to $155 this year. So it’s at least possible Igawa’s $4 mil could fit tax free in the 2010, easily could in 2011. And we’ve got 3 years to move him or – I know, I must be kidding – he could actually be earning at least some of the money as a 4/5 starter or long reliever. Washburn’s money is virtually guaranteed to fully count in ‘09 (tax threshold is $162 MM), and does in ‘08. And money today is worth more than money in 2 or 3 years. So the lux tax consideration weighs heavily against it.

As stated in the past, I too think the Washburn deal, especially if it includes Vidro, is a bad idea. Guy turns 34 in 3 weeks. I don’t see him as an upgrade worth the money. I think he might appear less risky in 2008, but the risk of Ponson in ‘09 can be 0. I’d stick with prospects, hope the 2 now get us through, hope Wang, Hughes, and / or Kennedy can replace one or both by some time in August or September, or find another choice that doesn’t include a 2009 committment, particularly a $10+ mil one.

Hell, I might prefer Odalis Perez or better yet Tim Redding to Washburn (both cheap, Redding less so, and yes I remember 2005), and I do prefer Maddux, though I doubt that deal can be done. Geez, maybe even the innings and everything else eater Livan – there you go Randy. Hmmm, no.

Simply said, he’s got Betemit beat by many miles.

Jeff Keppinger who the hell cares… He is nothing why do you waste time and energy on guys like that?????

if only the Yanks are smart enough to realize Keppinger is better than Betemit.

I don’t really want him on the team but he is a useful bench player. He’s a good contact hitter, doesn’t strike out much and can play multiple infield positions. I don’t expect the Yankees to trade for him but I’d be happy to have him on the team.

Just for the record. The mortgage on the new stadium will reduce the Yankees income, which will result in them paying less “revenue sharing”. It has NO impact on what they pay in “luxury tax”, which is determined solely by team payroll. These are two seperate taxes.

I know they aren’t but that doesn’t stop me from wanting them on the Yankees

I thought Brandon went to lunch.