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Why Yankees' addition of Juan Soto doesn't guarantee success
On Wednesday night, the New York Yankees pulled off a stunning trade for San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto.
Soto Season. pic.twitter.com/lt8TFPZgGk
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 7, 2023
As a result, as of Thursday, New York's odds have risen to win the 2024 World Series, per oddschecker.
Still, no matter what they've tried, the Yankees haven't won a World Series — or even appeared in the Fall Classic — since 2009. Soto is far from the only big name the Bombers have acquired over the past 14 seasons. Here are other stars who haven't gotten New York over the hump since then:
Curtis Granderson, CF, 2010-13
A month after winning the 2009 World Series, the Yankees traded for the Detroit Tigers center fielder known as the "Grandy Man." Over 2011 and 2012, Granderson had career years, hitting 84 home runs and driving in 225 runs. His postseason production, however, was mixed. Granderson went 10-for-28 in the 2010 playoffs, but he was dismal in the 2012 postseason, going 3-for-30.
Ichiro Suzuki, RF, 2012-14
The Yankees traded for the Seattle Mariners star right fielder at the 2012 trade deadline. Ichiro hit .322 in 67 subsequent regular-season games and .275 in the 2012 postseason, but batted just .271 over his next two forgettable seasons in pinstripes.
Brian McCann, C, 2014-16
The 2011 retirement of longtime catcher Jorge Posada created a dire need for the Yankees behind the plate. Ahead of the 2014 season, the Yanks signed seven-time All-Star and former Atlanta Brave McCann in the hopes of getting a new franchise cornerstone. McCann had decent offensive production in three seasons with the Yankees — averaging 28 home runs and 91 RBI — but New York played just one postseason game with McCann as its catcher, a 2015 wild-card loss to the Houston Astros.
Masahiro Tanaka, RHP, 2014-20
Shortly after acquiring McCann, the Yankees appeared to win the international free-agency sweepstakes by signing the 25-year-old Japanese right-hander. Tanaka's first three seasons in New York were promising — a 39-16 record with a 3.12 ERA. Over the next four seasons, however, he went 39-30 with a 4.27 ERA. Tanaka had previously been reliable for the Yankees in the postseason, but in his last two major league starts in the 2020 playoffs, he allowed 11 runs over eight innings.
Aroldis Chapman, LHP, 2016-22
Signed by the Yankees as a free agent in December 2016, the former Cincinnati Reds star was regarded as the best closer in baseball. He compiled a decent record for the Yankees over seven seasons (24-14 with a 2.94 ERA), but Chapman is best remembered for surrendering a two-run walk-off home run to Houston's Jose Altuve that ended the 2019 American League Championship Series.
4 years ago today, Jose Altuve sent the Astros to the World Series with a walk-off home run against Aroldis Chapman pic.twitter.com/nrb7ic9yAQ
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 19, 2023
Giancarlo Stanton, RF, 2018-present
After coming up short against Houston in the 2017 ALCS, the sky appeared to be the limit for the Yankees when they traded for the Miami Marlins slugger that December. Stanton was coming off an astonishing 2017 season (59 home runs, 132 RBI). Much to the frustration of Yankees fans, however, he has averaged a measly 22 home runs and 60 RBI over his six seasons in pinstripes, frequently missing time with injuries and piling up more strikeouts than hits.
There's no denying Soto is one of the best young talents in baseball. He already has a World Series ring as a member of the 2019 Washington Nationals, but his arrival doesn't fix all Yankees issues. New York is coming off an 82-80 season, its worst record in a 162-game season since 1992.
Trading for Soto is an obvious step in the right direction, but given the other big names who have come through the Bronx since 2009, his presence doesn't guarantee a championship.
More must-reads:
- Padres social media posts incredible announcement of Juan Soto trade
- Insider expands on why Shohei Ohtani snubbed Yankees, Mets
- The '2022 MLB home run leaders' quiz
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