The New York Yankees are no strangers to making big splashes in the offseason. This year, their top target is, of course, Juan Soto. The 26-year-old superstar was their biggest acquisition last offseason, and the Bombers are hoping he’s going to don the pinstripes for years to come. With the Soto sweepstakes underway, let’s take a look back at some other key free-agent signings for the Yankees this century.
Top 5 Yankees Free Agent Signings of the 21st Century
5. Hideki Matsui
“Godzilla” was not only one of Japan’s best ballplayers but one of their biggest celebrities when he crossed continents and signed with the Yankees prior to the 2003 season. Initially signing a three-year, $21 million deal, Hideki Matsui proved to be one of the Yankees’ most valuable players over his first three seasons, earning two All-Star nods and a brWAR of 11.8 over that span. He also compiled 175 home runs and four seasons of 100+ RBI over his seven years in the Bronx.
But of course, Matsui is most famous for his contributions to the Yankees’ 2009 World Series championship. That October, he earned World Series MVP, hitting a whopping .615 with 3 homers and 8 RBI over 6 games. Matsui was not only a great Yankee, but one of the best Japanese players who ever graced MLB.
4. Mark Teixeira
Another star from the Yankees’ 2009 championship squad, Mark Teixeira is remembered as not only one of the better switch-hitters of recent memory, but also for his sensational defensive skills at first base, winning five career Gold Gloves (three with the Yankees). Teixeira also hit 206 of his 408 career home runs for the Bombers, which ranks 14th in franchise history.
“Tex” signed an eight-year, $180 million with the Yankees in December of 2008. Winning a championship in his first season, Teixeira commanded first base for the Yankees until his retirement in 2016. Other than an abysmal final season, the switch-hitter put up a fine career in New York, accumulating a brWAR of 19.3 and 622 RBI as a Yankee.
3. Gerrit Cole
Though his career is still going, there is no denying the impact that Gerrit Cole has had on the franchise since signing for $324 million over nine years before the 2020 season. The future Hall-of-Fame pitcher has undoubtedly been the Yankees’ best pitcher over his five years thus far in New York.
Over those five seasons, the 35-year-old has started in 125 games, pitching to a 59-28 record with a 3.12 ERA and 915 strikeouts. But most notably, Cole has served as the face of the Yankees’ pitching staff since coming over from Houston. Not only has he been a bona fide ace, but he has performed exceptionally in the postseason, going 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA over 12 postseason starts for New York.
2. CC Sabathia
The Yankees certainly had themselves quite the offseason in 2008. CC Sabathia established himself as one of the best left-handed pitchers in Yankees history after signing with the team prior to 2009. Over 11 seasons in pinstripes, Sabathia notched almost 2,000 innings (1,918) and 306 starts, also recording 251 wins and 3,093 strikeouts over the course of his career.
Most of his success in the Bronx did come earlier in his tenure, as the California native led the majors in wins in both 2009 and 2010. But Sabathia still saw success for much of his career. He was one of the most beloved athletes in New York during his time there, and his longevity combined with an eccentric personality cemented him as one of the more famous Yankees in recent memory.
1. Alex Rodriguez
Perhaps the most controversial player on this list, Alex Rodriguez also takes the cake for the best free agent acquisition for the Yankees since 2000. After being traded from the Texas Rangers in 2004, A-Rod played four excellent seasons in New York before his contract expired after his 2007 MVP campaign. Despite multiple setbacks in their bid to resign the slugger, Rodriguez eventually signed what was, at the time, the most lucrative deal in MLB history at $275 million over ten years.
Those ten years were tumultuous, to say the least. While A-Rod was one of the key contributors to the team’s 2009 championship run, he also faced heavy controversy after it was discovered that he had tested positive for PEDs. But no matter how you put it, numbers don’t lie. If it weren’t for the steroid scandal, Rodriguez would undoubtedly be deemed not only one of the best Yankees of all time but one of the best players of all time. At the very least, the signing was definitely a success, being that they won a World Series after inking the deal. Regardless, Rodriguez’s impact on the team and immeasurable talent can’t be denied, and despite his contract burdening the team in his later years, his presence on the team in his prime proved invaluable, making him an all-time great Yankee.
Perhaps in a few years, Juan Soto’s name will appear on this list.
