I think the Yankees missing the playoffs could be just as good now as it was in 2008. It forced them to spend and they won the World Series the following year. And if they can do it AND still get under $189 million, I'm all for it.
The spending spree after missing the playoffs allowed them to win another ring. But the signings were terrible, looking back on it.
CC, Tex, and AJ were all considered overpaid, in hindsight. AJ was only able to be traded because the Yanks ate a chunk of his salary. CC was given a silly opt out clause, which he utilized for another year. Tex has become brittle. There is no legitimate trade market for those two and ARod.
The key to future signings is keeping the contract length short. The best thing the Yanks can do is learn from the Prince, Pujols, and ARod contracts and let another dumb owner overpay for Cano.
