| all the guys that you mentioned were traded to the yankees, not free agent signings. thus, they didnt "buy" those players. The yankees had valuable commodities in their farm system that allowed them to acquire those players. thats a tribute to the yankees farm system, that they can trade so many prospects that go on to have successful major league careers (like Eric Milton in Minnesota) and still be able to develop young stars like Soriano and Johnson
Before Paul O'Neill came to the yankees he was an average player at best. he never hit .300 before coming to the yanks. i wouldnt call Brosius or Knoblauch big deals, especially considering how Knoblauch performed in pinstripes (although Brosius was a solid 3rd baseman. not super, but solid). when i said big signings i meant huge blockbuster deals, like the mussina and giambi deals. the kinds of deals that even make yankee fans like myself say "damn, thats not really fair"
the yankees payroll is huge, and i know its not fair. they have many overpaid players (jeter is a prime example) but it takes more than just a large payroll to win. just ask the mets and dodgers. |