Despite the fact the Yankees have not made any significant or expensive additions this offseason, team president Randy Levine yesterday said the organization is not at its payroll limit.
“There’s obviously room to improve the team,” Levine told The Post yesterday. “I don’t like to get into the amounts, but obviously there’s room to improve the team.”
The Yankees have spent this winter: They handed CC Sabathia a $30 million extension, picked up Robinson Cano’s $14 million option, and exercised Nick Swisher’s $10.25 million option.
The Yankees also remain in talks with free agent Andruw Jones and have negotiating rights to Japanese infielder Hiroyuki Nakajima. The latter cost a $2 million posting fee, plus the price to sign him. The projected 2012 Yankees payroll still figures to be in the $200 million-plus range.
“We intend to always improve in whichever way we can. So far, after CC, as far as large contracts, we haven’t done anything. But that’s really our choice,” Levine said at the New York Stock Exchange, where he helped ring the opening bell to celebrate today’s New Era Pinstripe Bowl.
“We are always looking to improve,’’ Levine said. “[GM Brian Cashman] is on the phone 24-7. And there’s a long way to go between now and spring training. So whenever there’s an opportunity to get better, we will get better.’’
* Agent Rick Thurman confirmed he has spoken with the Mets regarding free-agent infielder Ryan Theriot.