George Steinbrenner and New York Yankees used to make a habit out of winning the offseason. They won many titles.
This has not happened since 2009 when New York’s splashy signings CC Sabathia & Mark Teixeira helped “buy” its 27th World Series title.
One year later, “The Boss”, died. The Yankees’ once-dominant sport of large expenditures has become more efficient. The Bronx Bombers will continue to have one of the highest payrolls in baseball in 2022. However, it’s been strange to see New York watch as this year’s top free agents go to the Texas Rangers (Corey Seager, Marcus Semien), and the Minnesota Twins(Carlos Correa).
Second-year Mets owner Steve Cohen appears determined to fill the gap left by Steinbrenner as the Big Apple’s largest spender. He is willing to chase a championship at all costs.
What is the value of winning the offseason? Here’s an overview of the clubs that have won the offseason since the last time it worked for the Yankees.
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2009-10
Seattle Mariners are the Offseason Winners
World Series Winners: San Francisco Giants
Adrian Beltre’s $64million, five-year contract was finally done. Yes, that is true. Seattle sent three prospects to Philadelphia to pick up Cliff Lee, 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner. They signed Chone Figgins for $36M and also acquired Milton Bradley from Cubs. Felix Hernandez, the Mariners’ ace, was also signed to a five-year $78 million deal. The Mariners won 61 games, a clean sweep and a miss.
2010-11
Boston Red Sox: Offseason Winners
World Series Winners: St. Louis Cardinals
Boston purchased All-Star slugger Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego, for three minor leaguers including Anthony Rizzo. Then, Carl Crawford, a speedy outfielder, was signed for $142 million. Both players won 90 games but it wasn’t the right fit and the Red Sox traded them to the Dodgers for $142 million in August 2012.
2011-12
Offseason Winners: Los Angeles Angels
World Series Winners: San Francisco Giants
Many teams made huge splashes. Prince Fielder signed with Detroit at $214 million. The Marlins spent $191 million on Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Heath Bell and Mark Buehrle, while the Angels lucked Albert Pujols from St. Louis, paying $240 million over 10 year — and adding C.J. Wilson was bought for $77.5 million. The Angels won 89 games, and were third in the AL West. The Giants won the World Series for the second consecutive year, thanks to Melky Cabrera as their top winter add.
2012-13
Offseason Winners: Toronto Blue Jays
Boston Red Sox: World Series Winners
Toronto went deep into its farm system and unloaded Noah Syndergaard, Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson, Mets ace R.A. Dickey, and Marlins veteran Mark Buehrle. They also traded John Farrell, their manager, to the Red Sox who won the World Series. The Jays won 74 games.
2013-14
New York Yankees are the Offseason Winners
World Series Winners: San Francisco Giants
Another attempt at a Steinbrenner signature offseason. The Yankees signed Masahiro Takaka from Japan to replace Derek Jeter, bought Jacoby Ellsbury away for $153 million, convinced Brian McCann, a Georgian, to leave Atlanta for $85million, and brought in Carlos Beltran. Robinson Cano moved to Seattle, but there were high hopes in the Bronx. New York won 84 games, but missed the playoffs.
2014-15
Chicago Cubs are the Offseason Winners
World Series Winners: Kansas City Royals
Washington signed Max Scherzer to a $210 million contract and also acquired Trea Turner, Joe Ross and Joe Ross from the minor leagues. But the Cubbies stole their offseason. Theo Epstein, president of baseball operations, poached Joe Maddon as Rays manager and signed Jon Lester for $155million. Houston center fielder Dexter Fowler was traded. Chicago won 97 games but the moves did not pay off until one year later.
2015-16
Chicago Cubs are the Offseason Winners
World Series Winners: Chicago Cubs
Jason Heyward was signed by the Cubs to the second-largest deal of the winter at $184million. This is behind only David Price’s $217 Boston contract. They also added Ben Zobrist ($56m) and John Lackey (32 million). They also traded out talented-but-frustrating shortstop Starlin Castro. Although it worked, the most significant contributors were still homegrown stars. Chicago’s 108-year-old title drought was ended by Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez.
2016-17
Boston Red Sox: Offseason Winners
Houston Astros are the World Series Champions
After acquiring Chris Sale, an ace from the White Sox, and Tyler Thornburg, a reliever from Milwaukee, the Red Sox receive a narrow nod. This comes just before the Mets resign Yoenis Cespedes and the Cardinals add Dexter Fowler, Brett Cecil and Brett Cecil free agents, while the Dodgers retain Rich Hill, Justin Turner, and Kenley Jansen free agents. Houston made a good splash by signing Josh Reddick ($16 million) and McCann ($52 million), and also signing McCann from New York.
2017-18
New York Yankees are the Offseason Winners
Boston Red Sox: World Series Winners
Manager Joe Girardi was replaced by the Yankees. They then purchased Giancarlo Stanton, the NL MVP, from their rival Marlins. Stanton’s first year was a success. He had 38 homers, 100 RBIs, and Boston won the AL East. J.D., a free agent, helped the Red Sox to victory. Martinez ($110 million), as well as previous headline acquisitions Price & Sale.
2018-19
Philadelphia Phillies: Offseason Winners
Washington Nationals are the World Series Champions
San Diego shocked the sport by signing Manny Machado, a $300 million 10-year contract. However, the Phillies won the winter with the addition of J.T. Andrew McCutchen and Realmuto. Harper signed a 13-year record contract worth $330 million. Realmuto was acquired in a Miami trade, and McCutchen was purchased for $50 million. After Philadelphia won 81 games it watched as its NL East rival, Harper’s old team, won it all in October.
2019-20
Offseason Winners: Los Angeles Dodgers
World Series Winners: Los Angeles Dodgers
Although the Yankees made the most of Gerrit Cole’s December signing, the Dodgers landed 2018 AL MVP Mookie Bets from the Red Sox. It was a perfect deal for LA, who hoisted the World Series Trophy inside the COVID-19 bubble.
2020-21
Offseason Winners: San Diego Padres
Atlanta Braves are the World Series Champions
The Padres had a strong lineup, with Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. as their stars, and traded for Yu Darvish and Mike Clevinger to strengthen their pitching team. Tatis was also signed to a 14-year, $340 million deal. This is the longest contract in baseball history. Cohen and the Mets made headlines in Cohen’s first year as an owner. However, the Braves won their title thanks to a series trade deadline additions by Alex Anthopoulos.
