The 10 most disappointing, underperforming Yankees teams
By Ryan Morik
Yankees disappointment No. 4: 2002
Sure, the Yankees made five out of six World Series from 1996 to 2001. The Yankees were bound to come down to earth, especially with fan favorites Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius being on the free agent market, and Paul O’Neill retiring.
But then they signed Jason Giambi.
Giambi had been one of baseball’s best players. In 2000 and 2001, he won an MVP and finished in second the next year. His 1.130 OPS in that stretch was the third best in baseball, behind Barry Bonds and Todd Helton. His .476 on-base percentage and 266 walks only trailed Bonds.
They also picked up Rondell White, who had an .835 OPS in his first nine seasons, and brought back David Wells.
Just like that, the Yankees had World Series expectations again.
Giambi, Alfonso Soriano, and Bernie Williams each finished in the top 10 of the AL MVP vote (Soriano finished third, while Giambi finished fifth).
The Yankees won 103 games, and were heavy favorites over the Wild Card Anaheim Angels in that Division Series. After winning Game 1, they lost the next three.
The Angels wound up winning the World Series, something that the Yankees can take solace in, but acquiring an MVP candidate, bolstering your rotation, and winning 103 games, only to lose to a Wild Card team in four games was a big disappointment.