Let's face it, over the years the Yankees have depended on key free agent signings to help them win. There's nothing wrong with that, that's the nature of the game. Hell, the Yankees have the money, so why not use it? And since the start of Free Agency prior to the 1975 season, the Yankees have hit home runs on numerous free agent signings. There has also been some major flops along the way as well, but here at BYB we're going to list the Top 10 Yankee Free Agent signings of all time and their stats during their time with the Bombers. This list reviews #10 to #6. Enjoy:
Regular season stats: 63-53, 3.58 ERA, 1.84 K/BB
Postseason stats: 8 games, 7 starts, 2-4, 4.70 ERA, 2.33 K/BB
Accolades: Two World Series Rings ('78, '79), Two All Stars ('75, '76)
After winning the 1974 American League Cy Young Award with the Oakland A's, Catfish Hunter was the big fish, Pun intended, on the inaugural free agent market. And like the late, great George Steinbrenner always does, whenever he sees a big name on the open market he does whatever he can to get him in pinstripes. Catfish had some great seasons with the Yankees, although he also had some not so great seasons with the Yankees too. But, he was good enough to make BYB's list at number 10.
Regular season stats: .266 Avg, 111 Hrs, 341 RBI, .877 OPS
Postseason stats: 106 AB's, .170 Avg, 3 Hrs, 12 RBI, .578 OPS
Accolades: One World Series Ring ('09), One All Star ('09), Two Gold Gloves ('09-'10), One Silver Slugger ('09)
With the Yankees letting Jason Giambi walk after the 2008 season, and with the uncertainty of Nick Swisher playing first base, the Yankees wanted to sign Teixeira. In fact, Teixeira was close to signing with the Red Sox until negotiations broke down late. When that happened, the Yanks swooped right in, signing him to an 8-year, $180 million contract. Tex has been a fantastic signing. His power and switch hitting ability have made him a staple in the middle of the Yankees lineup. He's even a better defender than a hitter, which is saying a lot. He has struggled in the postseason, but 27 games worth of postseason play should not leave him off the list.
#8. Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez- NYY from 1998-2002, 2004
Regular season stats: 61-40, 3.96 ERA, 2.31 K/BB
Postseason stats: 17 games, 14 starts, 9-3, 2.65 ERA, 1.98 K/BB
Accolades: Three World Series rings ('98-'00)
A year after his brother Livan Hernandez defected from Cuba, El Duque defected and signed a five year, $9.8 million deal with the Yankees prior to the 1998 season. El Duque was pretty solid in the regular season, considering he pitched in the heart of the steriod era. But he was absolutely money in the postseason, most notably in the World Series. As a Yankee, El Duque went 2-1 with a 2.27 ERA with an impressive 11.1 K/9 rate in the Fall Classic. He definitely came up big when it meant the most, and that's why he checks in at number eight.
Regular season stats: 123-72, 3.88 ERA, 4.02 K/BB
Postseason stats: 17 games, 15 starts, 5-7, 3.80 ERA, 4.18 K/BB
Accolades: Three Gold Gloves ('01, '03, '08)
Before the 2001 season, Mussina left the Baltimore Orioles to sign a six year, $87 million contract with the Yankees, and to me he's one of the most underrated players to wear a Yankee uniform. The guy was a rock in the Yankees rotation for eight seasons, but he was also pretty unlucky as well. He would have two World Series rings if he were a free agent before the 2000 season and signed with the Yankees. And he would have another ring if he stuck around for the 2009 season. But what can you do? Mussina did go out with a bang in his final season with the Yankees--and his career--winning 20 games for the first time in his career. In a few years Mussina will be on the ballot for the Hall of Fame. Who knows if he'll make it, but if he does it'd be great if he sported a Yankee cap during his induction.
Regular season stats: .290 Avg, 205 Hrs, 818 RBI, .851 OPS
Postseason stats: 55 AB's, .182 Avg, 0 Hrs, 3 RBI, .558 OPS
Accolades: Eight time All Star ('81-'88), Five Gold Gloves ('82-'85, '87), Four Silver Sluggers ('82-'85)
After establishing himself in San Diego as one of the better hitters in the game, Winfield decided to accept the Yankees 10 year, $23 million contract. Winfield and George Steinbrenner certainly had their fueds over the years, one being when Steinbrenner called Winfield "Mr. May" after the Yankees were struggling in a pennant race towards the end of the 1985 season. Steinbrenner ended up trading Winfield to the California Angels in the middle of the 1990 season, but despite all his troubles with The Boss, Winfield was huge for the Yankees with his bat and his glove.
Wednesday we will have #5 to #1, as we continue out series for the best Yankee Free Agent signings of all time. Look for it here at Bleeding Yankee Blue.
--Jesse Schindler, BYB Staff Writer
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