The Evil Empire: Evaluating the 2014 New York Yankees Offseason

Those "Damn Yankees" are at it again. Last season, the Yanks failed to make the postseason for just the 2nd time in the last 19 years, and the first time since the 2008 season. We all remember what took place in the '09 offseason, as the Bombers went all out to sign the top three free agents on the market - Mark Teixeira, A.J. Burnett, and CC Sabathia.

The team proceeded to win the World Series the following year, with each of the big acquisitions playing key roles; the Steinbrenners certainly hope to replicate those results as seen by the team's trademark free-spending ways thus far this offseason. There were rumbling that management and ownership were supposedly going to make a concerted effort to get under the $189 million luxury tax threshold, but this was laughable from the get-go.

Sure it would have been nice to get under this mark to avoid paying yet another massive tax bill, but it's the Yankees we're talking about. Without further adieu here's an assessment of the Yankees offseason:

Signings
- Joe Girardi (4 year, $16 million): Somehow managed to guide the injury-plagued Yanks to 85 wins. Girardi absolutely deserves to be the 2nd highest manager in the game now, and his 4th place finish in the AL Manager of the Year race displays the respect he garnered after last season.
- Brian McCann (5 year, $85 million): The team got no production whatsoever from the catcher position last year so making a splash right away by signing the 7x All-Star was no surprise.
- Jacoby Ellsbury (7 year, $153 million): The 2x World Series champ got paid like a perennial All-Star despite never making an appearance in the "Midsummer Classic". If Ellsbury can manage to stay healthy though he could definitely take advantage of the short porch in right field for years to come.
- Carlos Beltran (3 year, $45 million): After getting shunned by the Bombers as a free agent in 2005, the veteran finally has the chance to play in the Bronx. Beltran has a lot left in the tank and can still field the position very well.
- Masahiro Tanaka (7 year, $155 million): The Japanese sensation has extremely high expectations to live up to after signing the 5th highest paid contract of all time for pitcher. The Yanks have failed miserably in the past with Japanese pitchers such as Kei Igawa and Hideki Irabu so they better hope Tanaka pans out to be more than just a consistent, third starter.

Departures 
- Robinson Cano (10 year, $240 million to Mariners): Even though he's clearly the best second baseman in the game it was definitely the right move on the Yankees part. No player is worth that kind of contract, and Robbie may struggle to put up the same numbers in the pitcher-friendly confines of Safeco Field.
- Curtis Granderson (4 year, $60 million to Mets): The Yanks felt like it was time to let Grandy walk following a last season due to injuries. Like Cano, Granderson might struggle a bit playing across town in Citi Field these next few years.
- Alex Rodriguez (suspended for 2014 season): Management let out a huge sigh of relief when his suspension was upheld. While the team still owes A-Rod nearly $61 million, not having to worry about the circus he attracts is all the Yankees could have asked for at this point.

Future
- Bullpen/Rotation - Losing the greatest reliever of all time in Mariano Rivera will certainly sting, and it remains to be seen if David Robertson is ready for the challenge. Major question marks surround the starting rotation as well. CC Sabathia is looking to rebound following a forgettable season, Hiroki Kuroda is back after imploding late last year, and the fifth spot is up for grabs with Michael Pineda possibly being a dark horse after not pitching since 2011.
- Outfield/Infield - The outfield is very crowded now with the acquisitions of Ellsbury and Beltran. Between Ichiro and Brett Gardner one of them might have to go; Gardner would certainly attract better pieces at this point in their respective careers. It's definitely going to tough to replace the production they've gotten out of the second and third base positions over the last few years, but Brian Roberts and Kelly Johnson were two cheap, solid signings for the Yanks.

All in all, the New York Yankees have had a very production 2013-2014 offseason. The moves they've made put them right back up there to compete with Tampa and the reigning champion Boston Red Sox. Some questions still remain, but one thing is for sure - you can't ever count out a team with the spending power like the Yanks.