No, they probably won’t start being heavy players in free agency. They really are trying to dump some salary. As I said, if you can get under the cap, even for a year, it reduces the luxury tax rate significantly.
The Steinbrenner boys seem to have learned from teh 1990s run, and they want to try to replicate it with a new homegrown core surrounded by younger, more athletic acquisitions. They will try to use the farm system either to provide or acquire depth, in the lineup, among the backups, and on the pitching staff. You can finish that off with free agency, but it doesn’t require being in on the big, expensive names.
Their business model has changed from George’s days.
Of course the fact that we’re even having this discussion, and the discussion is how hard will the Yankees violate the cap not if, proves my original point. The MLB “cap” is at best a suggestion, and a complete joke.