Honorable Mentions:
Kerry Wood
Kerry Wood was brought to the Bronx in 2010 as a post All-Star break pick-up and dominated as the team’s setup man.
The former ace of the Chicago Cubs’ pitching staff allowed just two runs in 24 games in the regular season for the Yankees and then gave up absolutely zero no runs in the first two games of the ALDS.
Yes, he was only around for a half season, but the Yankees gave up a mere $500,000 for the deal, which was a steal given the production they got from him.
Cecil Fielder
The acquisition of Cecil Fielder on July 31, 1996, by the Yankees was a classic addition of a crucial bat during a key stretch-run.
The Bombers sent Matt Drews and Ruben Sierra to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for a power bat that provided them with a .260/.342/.495 slash line including 13 home runs in 228 plate appearances. The following season, Fielder would hit 13 more home runs to bring his total Yankee home run total to 26 in 151 games played.
