Via the AP –

Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said that he’s concerned about the latest drug allegations swirling around third baseman Alex Rodriguez, but that the matter is being looked at by Major League Baseball.

The Miami New Times reported late last month that the three-time American League MVP bought human growth hormone and other performance-enhancing substances in recent years from Biogenesis of America LLC, a now-closed clinic in Coral Cables, near Rodriguez’s offseason home.

Speaking on Friday at the Yankees’ minor-league complex, Steinbrenner said that the situation is “a concern, but it’s out of our hands.”

“We will cooperate with MLB in any way we can, any way we’re asked to,” he said. “But other than that, there’s not much to say. I don’t know any more than you do.”

Rodriguez has denied the allegations. He admitted four years ago that he used PEDs from 2001-03.

The Yankees signed one-time Boston Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis to fill in for Rodriguez, who is sidelined for at least the first half of the season after undergoing hip surgery on Jan. 16. General manager Brian Cashman told WFAN last month that there’s a chance A-Rod could miss the entire season.

“I’ve always liked Kevin,” Steinbrenner said. “He always seemed like a good leader, a hard worker and a very enthusiastic — loves the game — kind of guy. And that’s the kind of guy we want.”

Steinbrenner addressed a number of other topics, including the contract status of second baseman Robinson Cano, a potential free agent after the upcoming season.

“There’s been a conversation or two,” Steinbrenner said. “We’ll get into that, and we’ll talk about that at a later date. But he’s obviously been a great Yankee, and (I) hope he’s here his entire career.”

Steinbrenner feels that the Yankees have a “championship-caliber team” this season. He acknowledged that the club is sometimes criticized for fielding an older roster, but he likes its experience, “assuming we can stay away from injuries.”

“We’ve got a lot of good veterans on the team, and we’ve got some good young players as well,” Steinbrenner said. “That’s always the mix that I want to shoot for. I like our team, but where we end up in October (is) anybody’s guess.”

The Yankees are still looking to reduce the 2014 payroll to the $189 million luxury tax threshold.

“All I can assure the fans is, we’re always going to field a championship-caliber team every single year,” Steinbrenner said. “Is that our goal next year? Yes, to be at that number, that’s our goal. But as I’ve said from the beginning, it depends on some of our young players stepping up and getting the job done. That has to happen, or it’s going to be difficult.”

The Yankees re-signed a number of their own free agents, including pitchers Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Hiroki Kuroda, but were less active than in many previous years for outside free agents.

“I think we have some good signings, and I think we did our fair share in the offseason,” Steinbrenner said. “(We have a) similar payroll to last year. (It) shows we want to win.”

…Is that our goal next year? Yes, to be at that number, that’s our goal. But as I’ve said from the beginning, it depends on some of our young players stepping up and getting the job done. That has to happen, or it’s going to be difficult…

And, if the young players are not there to step up, will anyone be held accountable for it?

Via the AP:

Hal Steinbrenner was direct and to the point, much as his famous father always was.

“I think we’ve got a championship-caliber team,” he said. “I absolutely believe that we have the team that can win the championship.”

Making his first extensive public comments about the New York Yankees since Opening Day, the new controlling owner praised his players, manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman. And, already, he’s looking ahead to Aug. 6-9, when the Boston Red Sox come to Yankee Stadium.

“That four-game series is going to be a big one,” he said. “But the guys believe they can beat anybody, and that has not changed, and that’s an important thing.”

Steinbrenner wouldn’t say what would happen if the Yankees don’t make it to the postseason yet again following their run of 13 consecutive playoff appearances. He also left little to the imagination.

“We expect to win every year. We’ve said that. We always say that,” he said. “Our job is to field a championship-caliber team every year, and that’s what we strive to do. So, Joe knows who he’s working for.”

Steinbrenner sounded pleased with his team’s offseason moves, saying the newcomers were “a breath of fresh of air.” The Yankees signed free-agent pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett and first baseman Mark Teixeira, and acquired right fielder Nick Swisher in a trade.

Swisher, especially, has changed the clubhouse demeanor with his propensity to play loud music.

“I’m seeing some looseness this year in the players, I’m seeing some, you know, some emotion, and that’s a great thing,” Steinbrenner said. “We’ve managed to limit the injuries — we’re doing a little bit better than last year in that area. And I just think there’s a lot of motivation. I think these guys are pumped, and I think they’re showing it. We’re firing on all cylinders at times and struggling a little bit at other times in certain areas. But overall, pretty happy.”

With the Blue Jays offering to trade Roy Halladay, the Yankees are interested. But they’re skeptical that Toronto would deal the 2003 AL Cy Young Award winner to a division rival.

“If we need something, there’s only certain ways sometimes you’re going to be able to get it,” Steinbrenner said, speaking generally. “And everybody trades away young talent at some point for a trade that they deem, you know, absolutely necessary, but I don’t like doing it. But, again, we look at all possibilities and we look at all alternatives.”

Some interesting quotes here from Hal. All worth duly noting and filing away for now…and for looking back at, come October.