The Yankees once signed a switch-hitting center fielder with patience and power from both sides to a seven-year, $87.5 million contract, but by then Bernie Williams was a free agent coming off his second championship.
The Yankees once signed an injury-prone athletic center fielder to a seven-year, $153 million pact, but by then Jacoby Ellsbury was a free agent coming off his second championship.
The Williams signing stands as one of the best of the George Steinbrenner era, a decision by The Boss to pivot back to Williams after a free-agent dalliance with Albert Belle. The Ellsbury signing stands as one of the worst of the Hal Steinbrenner era, an overreaction to show commitment after Robinson Cano fled to the Mariners.