CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Hal Steinbrenner ardently defended the Yankees’ most controversial acquisition of the offseason, closer Aroldis Chapman, while meeting with a small group of reporters Wednesday.
“I guess what I would say is, in this country, when allegations are brought against a person, that person is completely innocent until proven otherwise. Not the other way around,” Steinbrenner, the Yankees’ managing general partner, said at the Major League Baseball quarterly owners’ meetings. “I think we should keep that in mind right now. A lot of thought was put into it, but the benefits for the organization as a player, if you just look at the baseball side of it, [there’s] tremendous upside, needless to say.”
The Yankees acquired Chapman, who turns 28 in February, from the Reds last month in return for a modest package of prospects. The Reds’ asking price dropped precipitously because of Chapman’s involvement in a domestic dispute last October that is being investigated by Major League Baseball and could result in a suspension for the All-Star closer.
The incident, in which Chapman allegedly choked and pushed his girlfriend as well as firing eight gunshots in his garage — he was not arrested, nor has he been charged with a crime — has prompted outside parties to criticize the Yankees for making the trade. New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito was among those who questioned the Yankees’ decision-making.
“Look, it’s a touchy subject,” Steinbrenner said. “But again, I would say: The man is innocent until proven otherwise. And I understand it’s a very sensitive subject, as rightfully so it should be. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
The team is proceeding as though Chapman will miss only a small portion of the season — perhaps 15 games, due to the domestic-violence policy that baseball announced last year — with manager Joe Girardi already designating the left-hander to close for stud setup men Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller. The Dodgers had agreed to trade for Chapman during the winter meetings before learning of the October incident and backing off.
Steinbrenner touched on a few other matters surrounding his club:
• Asked whether his team was out of the sweepstakes for free-agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, he smiled and jokingly changed the subject, talking about the hotel where the meetings are being held, before answering.
“We’re always looking to improve the club. I am comfortable with where the payroll is right now, but we’re always looking to improve the club,” Steinbrenner said. “You never know with us. We’ve surprised people in the past.”
There is zero indication the Yankees, who currently have four veteran outfielders, are engaged at all with Cespedes. Steinbrenner has repeatedly implied, and his general manager Brian Cashman has echoed, he doesn’t want to add a big-money free agent during a winter when very little money came off the team’s books.
• Steinbrenner said last November, at the prior owners’ meetings, he wanted to add a starting pitcher. That hasn’t happened at the major league level.
“I think there’s some concerns because several of the pitchers were injured last year,” Steinbrenner said. “Those concerns aren’t going to go away, but I believe we have a good rotation right now. Health is going to be the issue. So bolstering the bullpen obviously alleviates that concern somewhat. Shortens the game. And I think we’ve certainly done that with the three guys we’ve got on the back end. But, look, there is some concern about injuries because the injuries were there last year. If we stay healthy, I think we’re good to go as far as the rotation.”
• The Yankees will honor retiring Red Sox legend David Ortiz, Steinbrenner said. Boston’s final 2016 visit to Yankee Stadium will be Sept. 27-29.
“I am sure we’re going to do something,” Steinbrenner said. “We have not formally, minute by minute, figured out exactly what we’re going to do yet. He’s a great player, great part of that franchise. Everything you like to see in a player.”