Major League Baseball general managers are often criticized harshly for their free-agent signings that don't pan out. Rightfully so.
Like any other MLB team, the New York Yankees are no strangers to suspect free-agent signings. They've also had their successes.
In my lifetime, outfielder Reggie Jackson is arguably the best free-agent signing the Pinstripes have inked. Below is my list of the five best Yankees free-agent signings in recent off-seasons.
(These stats were tabulated by the author and are not official MLB stats.)
5. P Mike Mussina
Six years, $88.5 million; two years, $23 million
106-61, 4.06 ERA, 1,322 IP, 1,064 K, 3.85 K/BB
For eight years, Mussina was a steady presence in the Yankees starting rotation (only in '04 was he plagued by injuries). The Moose won 20 games for the first time at the age of 39 this past season with a win over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. In his first three years with the Yankees, he ranked in the AL's top three in strikeouts.
4. OF Hideki Matsui
Three years, $21 million
70 HR, 330 RBI, 267 SO, 214 BB, .296 AVG, .370 OBP (first three years with Yankees)
Godzilla's monster years came during his career in Japan, but he was still a productive hitter and solid team player during his first three years with the Yankees who came cheap by baseball standards.
3. P Jimmy Key
Four years, $16.8 million
48-23, 4.14 ERA, 603.4 IP, 400 K, 2.51 K/BB
In '93 the Yankees weren't able to land starters Greg Maddux and David Cone. Key helped the Bronx Bombers to a World Series title in '96, with his final start in pinstripes out dueling Maddux in the deciding game. Key was one of the game's premiere control pitchers during his career.
2. P Orlando Hernández
Four years, $6.6 million
61-40, 3.97 ERA, 875 IP, 703 K, 2.31 K/BB
Hernández enjoyed his best year in '99 with a 17-9 record and setting career-highs in strikeouts (157) and innings pitched (214.1). After the regular season, El Duque was selected the MVP in the American League Championship Series. He helped the Bronx Bombers to three World Series titles.
1. OF Bernie Williams
Seven years, $87.5 million
149 HR, 630 RBI, 575 SO, 541 BB, .294 AVG, .383 OBP
The Yanks rewarded Williams after eight productive seasons by resigning him to a hefty free-agent contract in '98. More importantly signing the center fielder kept him from going to the rival Red Sox. He was a major contributor to four World Series titles.
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about 1 month ago
great article!
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Ben. Not sure if everyone will agree with No. 5.
from about 1 month ago
why? Mike Mussina is a beast!
from about 1 month ago
Actually I did the ol' switch-a-roo on you Ben. Originally A-Rod was in the fifth spot but I was talked out of it by some of the posters (below) and switched it to Moose.
from about 1 month ago
Haha. where do you think burrel and dunn will be next season?
about 1 month ago
Edgar, I'm not sure everyone will agree with the order. I for one am glad you didn't put Reggie on this list and as I'm sure you know A-Rod is the youngest to 500 HR.
from about 1 month ago
I'll update A-Rod to 500. Obvious oversight on my part.
Oh, and I hope that everyone disagrees with the list and its order! I think half of Yankeedom wouldn't include A-Rod.
about 1 month ago
The Yankees didn't acquire A-Rod via free agency. I mean, they re-upped him when he opted out, but that contract's only lasted one year. It's tough to say A-Rod is a top-5 signing when the Yankees didn't even sign him.
(That said, it was a good acquisition.)
Also, you mentioned Matsui, but only his initial signing, and not the contract he got after that. I agree entirely. Matsui's first three years with the team were great, and he was an excellent pickup. After they signed him a second time, though, they overpaid for a guy who aged really quickly.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Jersey. I debated including A-Rod for the very reasons you outline but technically he was (re)signed as a free agent after he opted-out. But you're right, its misleading because I'm talking about the bulk of his Yankees' career while the re-negotiated contract is a year old.
Any thoughts as to who you think I missed as a good free-agent pick-up? Maybe I could replace a worthier candidate that meets the criteria.
from about 1 month ago
I'm thinking Mike Mussina. The guy was great for a long time for them, and while he sputtered in the final year of his deal, he really had a great Yankees career, including a near-perfect game against the Red Sox in his first season with them.
from about 1 month ago
Jersey, you hit it on the nose. Good eye. I'm ashamed I didn't think of it first. Bad Yankee fan!! I'll look up the stats. Thanks for the feedback, much obliged.
about 1 month ago
For what it's worth, I definitely think A-Rod should be on this list. He was definitely a free agent although probably the most aggravating, exasperating free agent in history. I am so glad we re-signed him, but I don't think I will ever forget the angst last year as he first opted out with news coming in the middle of a World Series game from Boras, then everyone, and I mean, everyone, saying the Yankees were through with him and then finally A-Rod himself "taking control" and letting the Yankees know he really wanted to come back to the Big Apple after he had given everyone reason to believe he would never be back and after finding out that there just wasn't that much money anywhere else.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Perry. I'm going to go with Jersey's suggestion simply because the A-Rod re-signing was one year ago and consequently in all fairness that means that I can only include last year's stats and everyone across the board had down offensive years.
I think the addition of Moose, while it didn't translate to a World Series win, he was overall solid. Actually kind of up and down sometimes (remember him losing his starter position?) but overall solid.
I'm a big supporter of A-Rod. If the article was titled "Yankees' Trades Gone Good" or something like that he'd be there.
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