Once upon a time, the New York Yankees used to get what they wanted. They used to lurk in the shadows. They used to manipulate the market into a false sense of security, then pounce. They used to meet pitchers who wanted to end up in California, then sell them on a legacy in pinstripes instead. They used to let their money do their talking, their history holding the pen and handing it over to an ace's waiting arms.
The 2000s occasionally represented post-dynastic excess, but the 2008-2009 offseason was their masterstroke. Coming off a 2008 season where the Yankees closed their iconic stadium and moved across the street, with precious few prospect debuts en route and some stalled-out worry surrounding big names like Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain, New York was in need of a harsh makeover to turn the tides.