The Yankees’ major acquisition of flame-thrower Aroldis Chapman this off-season may prove to be one of the all-time great maneuvers in team history. With that in mind, here’s a look at the five best off-season moves made by the Yankees over the last 25 years.
5. Hideki Matsui, Free Agent: No one knew what to expect when “Godzilla”, one of Japan’s all-time great sluggers, put the number 55 on his pinstriped back in 2003. Baseball analyst Bobby Valentine, a one-time manager in Japan, felt confident that Matsui could hit 50 home runs in the Major Leagues, especially with the short porch in Yankee Stadium’s right field.