TOP 10 YANKEE FREE AGENTS OF ALL TIME: 5 TO 1

Take a moment and review 10 to 6 and then check out our list, 5 to 1. Enjoy:

#5. Jason Giambi- NYY from 2002-2008

Regular season stats: .260 Avg, 209 Hrs, 604 RBI, .925 OPS
Postseason stats: 104 AB's, 6 Hrs, 13 RBI, .919 OPS
Accolades: Three time All Star ('02-'04)

The "Giambino" had a very successful career in pinstripes. He was never one of my favorites, but I will admit he was great in a Yankee uniform. The steroid cloud hovers over his head, which is certainly a negative, but he was still able to mash the ball at will. Every time he came up to the plate you knew he was going to give you a good at bat. He had a great eye and would rarely give away an AB. Giambi takes the number 5 spot.

#4. Hideki Matsui- NYY from 2003-2009

Regular season stats: .292 Avg, 173 Hrs, 753 RBI, .830 OPS
Postseason stats: 205 AB's, 10 Hrs, 39 RBI, .933 OPS
Accolades: 2009 World Series MVP, Two time All Star ('03-'04), 1 World Series Ring (’09)

When Matsui signed his original 3-year, $24 million contract prior to the 2003 season, he was already cemented as a mega-star in Japan. Although the power numbers weren't quite on par to what he did in Japan, he was still a great, clutch, hitter for the Yankees. Of course Godzilla will be remembered most for what he did in the 2009 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. He hit .615 ( 8 for 13) with three homers (two off Pedro Martinez), and eight RBI, thus earning World Series MVP honors. His final game as a Yankee was Game 6 of that '09 Fall Classic, in which he went 3 for 4 with a homer, a double, and six RBI.

#3. Rich "Goose" Gossage- NYY from 1978-1983

Regular season stats: 41-28, 2.10 ERA, 150 saves, 2.78 K/BB
Postseason stats: 2-1, 1.46 ERA, 7 saves, 4.4 K/BB
Accolades: Four time All Star ('78, '80-'82), One World Series Ring ('78)

The Yankees were coming off a World Series Championship against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1977. Things were going great, so what does George Steinbrenner do in the off-season? He signs one of the best closers in baseball, Rich "Goose" Gossage. Goose was tremendous for the Yankees. Back then, closers normally pitched more than one inning to convert their saves, so his value was sky high in that sense. No matter if his saves came in more than one inning, or just one inning, Gossage was an awesome closer for the Yankees during his time, and well deserved of the number three spot on our list.

#2. CC Sabathia- NYY from 2009-Present

Regular season stats: 59-23, 3.18 ERA, 3.09 K/BB
Postseason stats: 11 games, 10 starts, 5-1, 3.54 ERA, 2.41 K/BB
Accolades: Two time All Star ('10-'11), 2009 ALCS MVP, One World Series Ring ('09)

Maybe some of you think that putting CC at number two is a bit high. I don't think so. When this guy signed a 7-year, $161 million contract to put on the pinstripes, he's been one of the most consistantly awesome pitchers in all of baseball. And quite frankly, he's been worth every penny (That's 6,900,000,000 pennies he's earned thus far, if you're keeping score at home). He goes out there every fifth day (or sixth day, when the Yankees were going with that stupid six man rotation for nearly three months), and he'll give you his best effort, and most of the time it's a great effort. In my opinion, he's the most dependable starter because everytime out he'll go deep into the game and save the bullpen. Not to mention, the pressure he's had on his shoulders since signing the big contract, and handling that pressure speaks volumes and can't be shown on a stat sheet.

#1. Reggie Jackson- NYY from 1977-1981

Regular season stats: .281 Avg, 144 Hrs, 461 RBI, .897 OPS
Postseason stats: 119 AB's, .328 Avg, 12 Hrs, 29 RBI, 1.090 OPS
Accolades: Two World Series Rings ('77-'78), 1978 World Series MVP, Five time All Star ('77-'81), One Silver Slugger ('80)

You know why Reggie Jackson is number one on this list? I'll tell you why, because his nickname is "Mr. October". Let's face it, being able to perform in the postseaon is huge when playing for the Yankees. It's not like that anywhere else, and because Jackson did that--along with performing very well in the regular season--he deserves the top spot. He signed a 5-year, $2.6 million contract after his lone season with the Baltimore Orioles in 1976, and although things got chippy with George Steinbrenner and Billy Martin, those issues should be set aside and have nothing to do what he should be remembered for when he was with the Yankees. He was surely "The straw that stirs the drink", and he'll be most remembered for his Game 6 performance in 1977 when he clubbed three homers off three consecutive pitches off three different pitchers. Truly amazing.

I know, I know, I'm sure there are a couple of guys left off the list, like Johnny Damon, but this list consists of 10 members, no more, no less. Some were definitely very close to call, for example, Mike Mussina over El Duque and Matsui over Winfield to name a few, but either way, it's not a slap to the face of anyone. It’s my opinion that everyone on this list were great signings by the New York Yankees, and should be remembered always.

--Jesse Schindler, BYB Staff Writer




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