Alex Rodriguez remains on top of the Yankees’ payroll as he waits to hear his fate next month.
“We are keeping [Rodriguez] in the budget here until there are changed circumstances,’’ Yankees president Randy Levine said Friday following a Yankee Stadium press conference at which Carlos Beltran was introduced. “It would be good to get [closure] for Alex Rodriguez and Major League Baseball.’’
Rodriguez appealed a 211-game suspension and is waiting for arbiter Fredric Horowitz’s decision which will be announced in January.
At the moment, Rodriguez counts $27.5 million toward the $189 million luxury-tax threshold.
As for what the unknown about Rodriguez’ status does to his lineup, Joe Girardi is in the dark.
“I am not sure yet, I am not in charge of that,’’ the manager said.
Speaking of the $189 million luxury-tax threshold, general manager Brian Cashman has hit the mute button.
“I am not talking about $189 million,’’ Cashman said. “It’s old news for me. Hal Steinbrenner has addressed that.’’
Steinbrenner has said getting under $189 million is a goal, but not at the expense of the Yankees fielding a championship team.
Girardi’s first task of 2014 will be officially announcing who will be his leadoff hitter.
While it’s widely believed Jacoby Ellsbury signed a whopping seven-year deal for $153 million to bat first and play center field, the Yankees haven’t publicly admitted that. The belief is Brett Gardner, who is at least the equal of Ellsbury in center field and as a leadoff hitter, will shift to left and hit ninth because Girardi has liked him in that spot in other years.
“It’s something we have to sort out,’’ Girardi said. “I’ll talk to [the front office] and them after the first of the year.’’
Despite adding several free agents, the Yankees still have rotation holes to fill. Cashman, however, was mum on the status of Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka.
“I can’t speak because he is a player under control,’’ Cashman said of the right-hander who may or may not be posted by the Rakuten Golden Eagles.
“We are focusing on who is in the marketplace and not what might become available,’’ Cashman said.
According to a source, Kevin Youkilis has signed with Tanaka’s Rakuten Golden Eagles team in Japan for a one-year contract worth $4 million (plus $1 million in incentives).
Youkilis played in 28 games last year for the Yankees before undergoing back surgery. It was believed he wanted to play next season closer to his California home.
Gary Tuck was officially named as bullpen coach. Tuck, who was Girardi’s bench coach with the Marlins and his catching instructor during his Yankees playing days, will work with the catchers. This is the 59-year-old Tuck’s fourth tour of duty with the Yankees.
The Yankees also announced the hiring of Trey Hillman (special assistant), Mike Quade (roving outfield and baserunning instructor) and Matthew Krause (strength and conditioning coordinator).