Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports, via Reuters
SAN DIEGO — This is where the Yankees finished their greatest season ever, more than two decades ago, when they swept the San Diego Padres in the World Series. By the next opening day, they had acquired Roger Clemens.
That is who the Yankees used to be — the bullies of the Bronx, the team you loved or hated but could never ignore. They would get the best pitcher in baseball, the strapping right-hander who strikes everybody out, just because they could.
So it is again. Late Tuesday night, the Yankees jolted the winter meetings by reaching a nine-year, $324 million contract agreement with Gerrit Cole, the overpowering ace who helped eliminate them in American League Championship Series for the Houston Astros.