Last night, Ed Price of Fanhouse tweeted that the Yankees had been outscored by a 2-to-1 ratio is just four previous postseason series: 1963 World Series, 1976 World Series, 1980 ALCS, and 2001 World Series. The 1963 loss didn't occasion a big overhaul of the roster, but consider the team's reaction to the last three series on the list. After the Reds pounded them in '76, the Yankees signed Reggie Jackson. After the Royals shocked them in 1980, they signed Dave Winfield. The 2001 World Series is a little different because half the team retired after and many moves were made, but I find none so much of a piece with Jackson and Winfield than the replacing of Tino Martinez with Jason Giambi. I don't know if I should say that it's fortunate or unfortunate that there are no Jackson or Winfield-style super-athletes on the market this winter, or even an MVP in his prime like Giambi, or that the Yankees will be devoting some of those budgetary resources to Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. All I know is that if the past is any guide, they'll be looking for the big score. We'll see if they can pull it off in a dry offseason environment.
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