Hal Steinbrenner confident Yankees can still make playoffs

The New York Yankees have looked like a mediocre team at best this season, and they have a 34-35 record that shows it. With the trade deadline a little over a month away, it might be in their best interest to be sellers for a change rather than buyers.

Hal Steinbrenner doesn’t see that happening. Why? Because the Yankees owner believes his team is still right in the thick of things.

“The last month has been promising,” Steinbrenner said Monday, via Bryan Hoch and Paul Hagen of MLB.com. “The offense up and down the line is starting to produce. [Chase] Headley certainly had a rough start; he’s hitting now. And you’re starting to see other guys contribute, too. I like what I’ve seen the last month. We just have to stay healthy.”

The Yankees are currently six games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. Mark Teixiera is set to rejoin the team this weekend after a rehab assignment in Triple-A, though he said he will need surgery if his knee starts acting up again. Despite concerns up and down the roster, Steinbrenner remains confident.

“We’ll have to see at the end of July, which we always do,” he said. “We’ll take a look at everything. We’ll see what injuries we’ve had from here to then and where the deficiencies are and where we go from there. But if we stay healthy, I’m confident we have a shot.”

The Yankees simply don’t pass the eye test at the moment, regardless of how far out of contention they are. Several teams are reportedly interested in two of their best relievers, and Steinbrenner would be doing his team a great injustice if he didn’t allow them to explore all options. Losing is an unfamiliar feeling in the Bronx, but there comes a time when you need to be realistic.