Lower Payroll?

So, the word from the front office was that the Steinbrenners and Brian Cashman had agreed to lower the payroll from last year ($201 million) but, according to my calculations, the payroll for 2010 will actually be higher ($208 million). I heard that the Yankee big wigs wanted to have the payroll around $185 million for next season but it looks like that has no chance of happening. Also, the Yankees currently do not have a starting left fielder unless they plan on using Brett Gardner or Jamie Hoffman full time which I think is unlikely. Not sure what their plans are but it seems that the whole lowering of the payroll idea has gone out the window. The good news is that much of the added salaries for the next season came via the trade rather than signing free agents (ex. Granderson and Vazquez). I think the Yankees are looking to shed some salaries for next season because of the big free agents that might become available. I guess we can only wait and see.