The New York Yankees aren't going to be forced to pay Major League Baseball's luxury tax for the first time ever.
According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com), the Bronx Bombers are on pace to finish below the $197 million payroll threshold this season, meaning they won't have to pay the tax for the first time since it was instituted in 2003. They are still spending a significant amount of money with the luxury tax payroll up from $178.8 million at the start of the season to $192.1 million, but it is low enough to avoid the penalty.