It’s no secret that Hal Steinbrenner would prefer a payroll under $300 million, as the Yankees owner has shared his disdain for such an investment in the past.

And yet, the Yankees cleared that total with ease in each of the last two seasons, as their competitive balance tax payroll exceeded $316 million in 2024 and $318 million in 2025. Now there are reports that Steinbrenner wants to get under $300 million, though his wishes haven’t become reality in the past.

“I don’t know if that’s where we’re at,” Brian Cashman said Wednesday when asked about those reports. “I know that we are always fluid with our payroll situation. Out of all the things that we have here with the organization, payroll usually is not an issue that we’ve had to deal with much of.”

Cashman added that he has not be

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