'They need to fix the problem': Hal Steinbrenner puts 'majority' of blame on Yankees players
NEW YORK — Hal Steinbrenner isn’t getting rid of anyone, at least not right now.
Halfway through an “aggravating, maddening’’ Yankees season, the team’s managing general partner put the onus on his players to turn it around, doubling down his faith in his manager and GM.
"We’re responsible. We’re in charge," Steinbrenner said Thursday, speaking about manager Aaron Boone, GM Brian Cashman, their analytics team and front office staff.
But in saying "we all can share the blame," Steinbrenner concluded that "the majority of the blame lies with’’ the players.
"They’re the ones on the field. They need to fix the problem because everyone, including our fan base, rightfully so has had enough, frankly."
Despite the 41-39 Yankees’ fourth-place standing, 8.5 games behind in the AL East, Steinbrenner has not abandoned his preseason assessment that he heads a championship-caliber team.
Still, "If we feel we need another piece that’s going to take us over the top, that we’re not quite good enough, then we’re going to take a serious look at it."
And that means Steinbrenner "would absolutely consider" taking the payroll past the luxury tax threshold if such a trade were recommended before the July 31 deadline.
The idea of being a seller by that time is "not a direction I’m contemplating right now," said Steinbrenner.
Nor is he thinking about an in-season change of direction with his manager or GM.
Steinbrenner mentioned his good communication with Cashman and his lieutenants and Boone being someone that "players want to play for, want to win for," having "overall done a good job keeping this clubhouse together" during a trying time.
A full evaluation of his baseball personnel will be conducted after the season, as has been his custom, according to Steinbrenner.
But just hours after the team’s worst loss of the season, Steinbrenner acknowledged he’s been angered by the club’s performance in general and expects more.
"It’s aggravating, it’s maddening and it has been tough to watch, and the players know that," Steinbrenner said.
"This is not the product we expect and the type of play that they expect from themselves."
Pete Caldera is the Yankees beat writer for NorthJersey.com. Follow him on Twitter: @pcaldera