22+ hour, 5+ min ago (984+ words) The last time Hal Steinbrenner held a press conference, he primarily focused on his decision to trim the Yankees" long-standing ban on facial hair, which his father, George, implemented in the 1970s. On Monday, however, Steinbrenner was repeatedly asked about potentially shaving his team"s payroll as he spoke to reporters in a group setting for the first time since February. The owner addressed several other topics, including his team"s shortcomings in 2025, but finances dominated the conversation. Most notably, Steinbrenner said "of course" it would be "ideal" to lower payroll after stating the Yankees ended up at $319 million for the 2025 season. That doesn"t make such a goal likely, though. "Does that mean that"s going to happen? Of course not," Steinbrenner continued after declining to announce a target budget. "We want to field a team we know could win…...

10+ hour, 17+ min ago (744+ words) Long after the crowds had dispersed and the lights had gone out at Citi Field, Brandon Nimmo always remained, signing autographs in his idling car for anyone who asked. For a decade, this was a regular occurrence. Fans could count on Nimmo to sign hats, shirts, baseball cards and other items, as much as they could count on him to reach first base " always getting there with a full-out sprint, never a trot, even when drawing a walk. A kid from Cheyenne, Wyoming, he knew that for many, meeting a professional athlete could inspire a lifetime of fandom. Come this season, fans will have to go all the way to Arlington, Texas, to find Nimmo. In a stunning Sunday night move, the Mets traded the outfielder to the Texas Rangers for veteran second baseman Marcus Semien. "These are always tough…...