It wasn't all that long ago when the Yankees were dominating baseball year in and year out, causing fans around the league to bemoan New York's financial muscle. Most determined that their ablity to outspend the rest of the league was the reason they were able to have so much success in the 90's and 2000's, and the league took those complaints to heart. At least, that was a convenient excuse for owners around the league to push harder for things like the luxury tax threshold that would eventually mirror a hard salary cap.
Of course, the truth is that the money New York spent, while obviously extremely helpful, wasn't the real catalyst for their run of success. Instead, it was an ability to build from within and use that internal talent to spark a dynasty. Unfortunately for the rest of baseball, it appears that's happening again, and now they are in the phase when they can use a combination of great team management along with financial muscle to build a terrifying team.
In the latest rumors circulating the offseason rumor mill, the Yankees are targeting a former draft pick who got away and one of the more talented pitchers in the game. That, of course, would be Gerrit Cole. It's true that the Pirates righty's numbers may not exactly jump off the page at this point in his career, but just watching him pitch shows that there is real talent there. If he can find a way to limit the home runs -- admittedly a difficult task in Yankee Stadium -- there is still ace potential in that arm. And even if he's not an ace, he's joining a rotation with Luis Severino, Sonny Gray and Masahiro Tanaka already in it. Baseball is a funny game and anything can happen, but boy am I getting flashbacks to a terrifying time to be a non-Yankees fan.
- The Brewers signing Jhoulys Chacin flew way under the radar, but it could be a quietly smart move by the club.
- Oh, you know, just two of the game's best and brightest stars getting together for a casual game night.
- As the Yankees have spent the offseason becoming one of the most feared teams in baseball, the rest of the division is starting to change their plans.
- It's easy to say that a team should always be building for a bright future, but there are times when the future needs to be sacrificed for the present.
- The Royals lost three big free agents this winter, but they have yet to sign.What will they do if the winter continues to move slowly?
- Tim Lincecum is jacked and looking to make a comeback. Should the Tigers take a look?
- There are some rumors that the Giants could acquire Jacoby Ellsbury. That would be....less than ideal.
- It's that point of the offseason at which we really start missing baseball games. Good news: You can get to know the Australian Baseball League and follow along.
- Shohei Ohtani was obviously the biggest Japanese star available this winter, but he wasn't the only one. The Diamondbacks signed another in closer Yoshihisa Hirano.