Spending Spree

This Winter The Yankees Returned To Form, And Spend

From 2001 to 2006 the Bronx Bombers shelled out millions to high priced and underachieving players such as Jason Giambi, Randy Johnson, and Carl Pavano.
After 2007 passed by without another World Series title, management decided to take a different approach. Led by General Manager Brian Cashman, the Yankees used a strategy of getting younger, spending less, and internally filling roster spots.
Instead of bringing in older, established players at astronomical costs, the Yankees looked to their farm system. Instead of trading the future away, as the team has done so many times in the past, in order to acquire a superstar, who promptly gets awarded with a multimillion dollar deal, the team stuck by its “kids.”
Any combination of three “kids” such as Phil Hughes, Andrew Brackman, Humberto Sanchez, Ian Kennedy, Melky Cabrera, Phil Coke, Joba Chamberlain, and Alan Horne all could have been trade bait for the former Minnesota Twins lefty Johan Santana.
Dubbed by many the best pitcher in the game, Santana could have gone to the Yankees and become the ace. Instead the Bronx Bombers backed down, leaving a major question to be answered. Will it pay off?
As of right now the answer is no. Both Hughes and Kennedy struggled, didn’t win any games, and spend most of the season hurt. Cabrera had his worst season and ultimately found himself back in the Minor Leagues. Andrew Brackman, due to injury and inexperience, and Alan Horne, due to inexperience, did not reach the majors, while Humberto Sanchez saw limited time in September.
The only bright spot in 2008 from the Yankee “kids” shines from Joba Chamberlain and Phil Coke. Joba has proved himself as an effective starter and reliever, able to throw a seven inning gem against the Red Sox, or enter into a tough situation and strikeout the side. Coke also proved himself by possessing a miniscule ERA at .61 and an astounding number of strikeouts, 14, in only 12 games and 14 1/3 innings pitched.
In the end, with an 89 win season, the team finished in third place, and for the first time since 1994, failed to make the playoffs.
Most Yankee fans and most of the organization was not pleased with the final standings, and felt that they didn’t properly end their tenure at the Old Yankee Stadium.
Drastic action needed to be taken in the off-season, to fill the many holes left by departing free agents and poor performances.
The first issue was the starting pitching. Since filling the ranks internally did not work the previous season, Brian Cashman and his millions of Yankee dollars went after the best free agent pitcher, CC Sabathia.
In the 2007 playoffs the Cleveland Indians, led by Sabathia, knocked the Yankees out in the Division Round, however after the Tribe struggled in 2008, the ace was traded to Milwaukee.
At a much underestimated 290 pounds, CC was certainly worth his weight to the Brewers. He posted a 1.65 ERA in 17 games, going 11-2 with an astounding 128 strikeouts in 130 2/3 innings. It is safe to say that he dominated the National League Central Division and was the underlying factor in the Brewers playoff birth.
After discussions back and forth between Sabathia and the Yankees, the hefty left signed a seven year, $161 million contract. The Yankees had an ace, and a great replacement for the retiring 20 game winner Mike Mussina, but they wouldn’t be done yet.
Shortly after signing Sabathia, the Yankees went after the American League leader in strikeouts, AJ Burnett. AJ had been the Yankees nemesis from 2006 to 2008 while he played for the Toronto Blue Jays. After signing a five year, $82.5 million contract he too will now wear pinstripes.
After securing most of the pitching rotation for next season, the Yankees turned their attention to batting and fielding. The team needed a strong bat and either an outfielder or first baseman to replace Bobby Abreu or Jason Giambi. The Yankees were pretty flexible on this matter, considering veteran Nick Swisher, a low cost player, was signed early in the off-season and he can play both positions. Ultimately after deciding between the power hitting first baseman Mark Texiera and the equally as powerful outfielder Manny Ramirez, the Bronx Bombers went with Texiera.
While they still remain in the hunt for Manny, the Yankees aren’t likely to shell out a lot of cash, considering Teixeira garnered a $180 million contract over eight years.
All in all, after regressing from the spending strategy for one year, the Yankees went back to their original game plan and spent a combined $423.5 million.
What’s interesting is the fact that the team actually saves money with the departure of some high price players. After the 2008 season $80 million came off the books. So far the team has added $62 million for next season, saving $18 million. So, in fact, one can even say, although they promised to pay out nearly half a billion over the next eight years, the Yankees were smart with their investments, and saved their money.