NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner declined to say Monday whether he favors a salary cap proposal in the next collective bargaining agreement but reiterated he might support a payroll floor.

“I don’t feel like I’m in position right now research-wise, knowledge-wise to answer that question,” Steinbrenner said in a video conference from Tampa. “We’ll always be among the highest payroll-wise. We always have been. We always will be.”

In February, Steinbrenner said he might support a salary cap proposal as long as it contains a provision mandating minimum payrolls. MLB has had a luxury tax in place since 2003 but is the only one of the four major U.S. professional leagues without a salary cap.

“Something that would be reasonable enough that it would improve competitive balance significantly in the sport,” Steinbrenner said when asked about a possible salary floor. “Many fans already argue it’s not been enough. I think we made strides the last 10 years in some of the things we’ve done but as an industry probably not near where we need to be, at least that’s what the majority of the fans believe and there’s a number of ways to attack.”

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies have promoted Warren Schaeffer to full-time manager.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs added Phil Maton to their bullpen on Friday, agreeing to a two-year contract with the veteran right-hander.

The deal includes a club option, according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical.

Maton played for St. Louis and Texas last season, going 4-5 with a 2.79 ERA and five saves in 63 games. He was traded from the Cardinals to the Rangers on July 31.

The 32-year-old Maton could become the first of baseball's 175 XXB free agents to switch teams. All nine thus far have re-signed.

NEW YORK (AP) — The 173 players eligible for salary arbitration. For those not reaching agreements, proposed salaries will be exchanged Jan. 8:

AMERICAN LEAGUE

ATHLETICS (1) — Shea Langeliers, c.

BALTIMORE (10) — Keegan Akin, lhp; Kyle Bradish, rhp; Yennier Cano, rhp; Gunnar Henderson, ss; Dean Kremer, rhp; Ryan Mountcastle, 1b; Trevor Rogers, lhp; Adley Rutschman, c; Taylor Ward, of; Tyler Wells, rhp.

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Pitchers Luis Medina and Ken Waldichuk agreed to terms with the Athletics on one-year contracts for next year to avoid arbitration.

Medina gets an $835,000 salary and Waldichuk $825,000,

The club announced Friday it did not tender a contract to JJ Bleday, who becomes a free agent after the 28-year-old outfielder was designated for assignment Tuesday. Bleday hit .212 with 14 homers and 39 RBIs for the A's over three stints in the majors this year.

Neither the right-handed Medina nor lefty Waldichuk pitched in the big leagues in 2025 while working back from their respective Tommy John elbow reconstructive surgeries.