New York Yankees rumors: Team wants to retain Chase Headley, Brandon McCarthy?

The New York Yankees face a difficult payroll situation this off-season. Depending on how much they are able to maneuver, the team would reportedly like to bring back third baseman Chase Headley and starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy.

The Yankees enter this off-season with more resources than most teams, but they will have limited flexibility by their standards. That is due to the fact that they spent big last winter and because of the most unfortunate money that they still owe Alex Rodriguez.

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With less money to spend than usual, the Yankees still have holes to fill and players they would like to bring back. Chase Headley and Brandon McCarthy are two mid-season acquisitions who are set to hit free agency. In both cases the Yankees would like to bring those players back, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

The problem is, they might not have that option. Sherman lays out the situation:

"So that puts the Yanks at $196 million-ish for 15 players. Every Yankees dollar spent over $189 million is taxed at 50 percent. Steinbrenner already has said the club needs to add a shortstop and starting pitcher to cover for Nova, who is not due back from Tommy John surgery before May at the earliest. There are Yankees officials who also want to retain Chase Headley and Brandon McCarthy.This cannot be done for less than $225 million, maybe not less than $230 million. At $229 million, the Yanks would be $40 million over the threshold and pay $20 million in tax."

McCarthy went 7-5 with a 2.89 ERA in 14 starts for the Yankees. Headley batted .262/.371/.398 in 59 games for the Yankees. Both adjusted well to playing for the Yankees, and both would seem to be good fits moving forward if the money works.

Unfortunately for the Yankees, it looks like the money isn’t going to work.