Tony Clark pushes back on Hal Steinbrenner’s $300M Yankees concern

TAMPA — There’s nothing like some CBA talk to put a damper on spring training, especially when it seems like baseball could be headed for another work stoppage after the most recent agreement expires following the 2026 season. 

But that’s where the sport is, as commissioner Rob Manfred and MLBPA executive director Tony Clark get their talking points ready heading into the season. 

Clark was at Steinbrenner Field on Monday as part of his MLB-wide tour of camps to address concerns among his union regarding the game, its rules and economics. 

And after Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner reiterated that he doesn’t believe a $300 million payroll is sustainable for his franchise and that he’d favor a salary cap if it came along with a floor, Clark responded Monday. 

Asked about Steinbrenner’s statements, Clark — who was a Yankee in 2004 — paused before answering. 

“There are teams who are, year in and year out, focused on putting the best team on the field that they can,’’ Clark said. “There are some teams that are interested in having a system that affords them the ability to not have to make certain decisions. I had an opportunity to play for the Yankees in 2004, and we came up short [after being] up 3-0 in the playoffs against Boston. I still don’t sleep well. Each time you come up short, you look for a way to try to be the last team standing. I understand the concern around the number, or the point being made around the number. But New York is in a pretty good financial position.” 

And as Steinbrenner noted last month, the Yankees continue to have one of the highest payrolls in the game.

Their luxury tax payroll currently sits around $307 million to $308 million, which is above the highest tax threshold of $301 million. 

What’s more damaging for the sport than whether the Yankees match the Dodgers or the Mets dollar for dollar is that both sides are preparing for a battle even with a year left before negotiations are set to begin. 

And the possibility of a salary cap will again be an issue. 

“You don’t have to have a cap to address the concerns that are being voiced,’’ Clark said of the league. “We have made proposals. There’s a reason they want a salary cap and it’s not tied to competitive balance. It’s tied to benefits ownership and the league are going to get. The game doesn’t need it.” 

Clark was also unmoved by complaints about the Dodgers’ spending this offseason. 

“What the Dodgers are doing is no different than what other teams have done in the past,’’ Clark said. “The sky has been falling in our industry for decades. What I think and what I know is the players believe the game itself is in a great place when all 30 teams are focused on being the last team standing. We know all 30 teams can do that, should they choose to.”