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Hal Steinbrenner wants Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera back and, without mentioning Cliff Lee by name, said the Yankees will be a major player for the ace left-hander.
That was the Yankees owner’s stance when he spoke on radio yesterday.
But …
It was a pause that gave an indication getting deals done with the Yankees greats isn’t going to be as easy as some expect.
They want to return. The Yankees want them back. So what’s the rub? Simple, Hal isn’t his father, an impulse shopper with money who was blinded by stardom.
The son recognizes what Jeter and Rivera mean to the Yankees, but since taking over Hal has never shied away from telling people the Yankees are a business.
“Derek and Mo, obviously we want them back. They’re hopefully lifelong Yankees. They’re great leaders. They’ve been great Yankees, but we’re running a business here,” Steinbrenner said. “Having said that, if there’s a deal to be done, it’s going to have to be a deal both sides are happy with. How long that takes could be frustrating to the fans. Maybe it won’t be, but we definitely want them back.”
In a shock to nobody, Steinbrenner said there is enough money to sign Jeter and Rivera, and a free agent.
Pollyanna minds believe Jeter will take whatever the Yankees offer because of how well he has been treated. That isn’t likely to happen.
Even Steinbrenner didn’t rule out a difficult negotiation with the 36-year-old shortstop and captain.
“There’s always the possibility that things could get messy. I know our fans are very emotional and that’s what we love about them,” Steinbrenner said. “But I have to do my job on behalf of the partnership and everyone else involved in the organization. Hank and I need to keep a level head and realize we’re running a business here.”
Andy Pettitte, who made $11.75 million this season, likely would be welcomed back if he chooses to pitch another season, but Steinbrenner was not asked about the left-hander.
Talking specifically about Jeter, who is 74 hits shy of 3,000, Steinbrenner mentioned the “B” word again.
“He’s one of the greatest Yankees in history no doubt about it, but at the same time I’m running a business,” Steinbrenner said. “I have responsibilities. Hank and I have to be responsible to our partners so we have to remain somewhat objective.”
Is that the first message to Jeter that he might have to take a pay cut from the $21 million he made this year in the final year of a 10-year, $189 million deal? And how about years? Will Steinbrenner use the business reference to avoid having to give Jeter a four-year contract?
Even with Rivera looking for a two-year contract, there aren’t the questions attached to the closer that there are with Jeter. Rivera, 41 later this month, made $15 million this season.
Yesterday was the first day of free agency for players. The Yankees have exclusive negotiating rights with their free agents until Saturday at midnight. After that Jeter, Rivera, Pettitte and Kerry Wood — among a list of 10 Yankees free agents — can talk money with other teams.
Will it get that far? Could Jeter and Rivera tell their agents to shop? Or will the Yankees tell them to shop and come back with offers?
Steinbrenner said GM Brian Cashman contacted agents Casey Close (Jeter) and Fernando Cuza (Rivera) last week to inform them about the organizational meetings that finished yesterday.
As for having enough money for Lee, it’s there, even if the 32-year-old hurler looks for $20 million per year.
“We’ve got a good idea of where we’re going to try to end up. We’ve got some money coming off the payroll. Obviously re-signing Jeter and Mo are going to be a priority, but we’re still going to have money left over,” Steinbrenner said. “These meetings are pretty initial at this point, but it’s all about prioritizing what we need to do and looking at the free-agent market and eventually looking at possible trades to improve.”
george.king@nypost.com