The narrative that loomed over the Yankees last offseason involved denunciations for frugality and missed opportunity.
Bryce Harper and Manny Machado were free agents entering their primes, and the Yankees showed no interest in Harper and minimal interest in Machado. Hal Steinbrenner heard a lot of criticism that he lacked his father’s big-name, big-ticket flair.
As it turned out, the Yankees probably had the best offseason of any team, spreading their money around to create depth that has fortified what will be their first division-title winner since 2012. Final grades are reserved until after the postseason because if, say, Adam Ottavino surrenders an elimination-game homer, the perception of his first Yankees season will be soiled.