Hal Steinbrenner Sounds Off On Current Sorry State Of The Yankees
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It was not quite said with his father's famed intensity, but the message was the same.
A Steinbrenner is not happy with the Yankees.
Speaking at the owners meetings in Baltimore, managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner didn't mince words when asked to assess his club's anemic offense, The Wall Street Journal reported.
"We put a lot of money into the offense, and they have been, as a whole, inconsistent. It's been a problem. And it needs to change," Steinbrenner said.
He was clearly taking shots at high-priced free agent signings Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann, who have for the most part been big disappointments this season. Brought on board to help lead the Yankees back to the playoffs following last season's third-place showing in the AL East, Beltran and McCann are two of the main reasons why the Yankees (61-57) were seven games out of first place in the division heading into Wednesday night's game against the first-place Orioles.
Beltran, who signed a three-year, $45 million contract, has struggled with injuries all season, most notably a bone spur on his right elbow that forced him to miss several weeks. The 37-year-old eight-time All-Star outfielder is hitting just .243 with 14 home runs, 45 RBI and a career-low .299 on-base percentage.
Beltran was hitting .220 on July 23, but then went on a tear over his next 15 games, hitting .386 (22-for-57) with four homers and 14 RBI. However, he's in the midst of an 0-for-11 slide over his last three games, all Yankees losses that dropped them 2 1/2 games out of the second wild card spot.
McCann, who received $85 million over five years, has been even worse, hitting just .238 with 13 homers, 49 RBI and a horrible .294 OBP. The veteran catcher is currently on the seven-day concussion disabled list, but is expected to be activated by the weekend.
"They're professionals, and the talent is there. But they've got to step it up and they know that," Steinbrenner said.
Steinbrenner didn't exactly give general manager Brian Cashman a vote of confidence, either.
He also said the Yankees at this point plan to welcome back suspended third baseman Alex Rodriguez and the circus that will come with him next season.
"That's what he's planning for, and that's what we're planning for," Steinbrenner said.
The Yankees owe A-Rod $61 million over the final three years of his contract.
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