It is sad to read the boilerplate groupthink that the power-worshipping so-called sports “journalists” of the mainstream media put out these days. Yankee ownership is charting a course that is different than anything we’ve seen in team history — purposefully conceding wins in the standings in order to pocket millions of dollars that their fans have invested in the team.

But the media has either completely failed to take notice, or is turning a blind-eye to ownership’s abnegation of their responsibility to their fans. Everyone from ESPN to the local beat writers are treating this as just another typical offseason. Joel Sherman is still writing whole columns discussing the possibility of the Yankees signing Josh Hamilton!

Despite the mass delusion, NoMaas remembers a time when Yankee fans could have very different expectations for what might come off the hot stove. We had our staff historians dig through the dusty archives and they found some very interesting tidbits from pinstriped times of yore. For example, let’s take a look at one of these ancient offseasons — circa 2009 anno Domini:

- The Yankees are coming off a year where they invested over $400 million to retain Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, and Andy Pettitte. But after missing the playoffs for the first time since 1994, they decide they need to do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

- Brian Cashman starts things off by acquiring Nick Swisher on November 13th, 2008 for Wilson Betemit and two minor league pitchers whose names you don’t remember.

- On December 12th, the Yankees sign the second-best pitcher available on the free agent market — AJ Burnett — for 5 years/$82.5 million (which wasn’t a good idea and we said so at the time, but the front office thought they were upgrading).

- The very next day, the Yankees officially sign the very best pitcher available on the free agent market — CC Sabathia –for 7 years/$161 million.

- Three weeks later they swoop in and outbid the Red Sox for the very best position player available — Mark Teixeira — for 8 years/$180 million.

Apparently there is something to this method, as the Yankees rewarded their fans with their 27th World Series. Amidst the euphoric afterglow, the Yankees still found room to add Curtis Granderson and Javier Vazquez (who didn’t work out, but was coming off of a 2.87 ERA 2009 season).

Now fast forward, and compare all this to the Yankees current offseason to date:

- The front office signs no new players, but is able to retain three players — with an average age of 40 years old — because they only want to play with the Yankees and are willing to take discounts from their market value.

- They make it clear they have no interest in retaining perennial 4-win player Nick Swisher, even if he’s going to sign for a reasonable price.

-The Yankees watch the Red Sox sign David Ross at a bargain price, and then don’t even make Russell Martin an offer as he goes to Pittsburgh for a very reasonable 2 years/$17 million. Then Mike Napoli also signs with Boston.

- After ARod is forced to have hip surgery, the Yankees are left with no rightfielder, no catcher, and no third baseman. But they pass on matching 1 year / $3 million for Eric Chavez.

- Josh Hamilton and Zach Greinke — a top 5 hitter and top 5 pitcher, respectively — are available as free agents. The Yankees don’t consider even making an offer to either.

Comparing these offseasons is like looking at those before and after pictures of meth addicts.

There is one possible silver lining to this for Yankee fans. While the current modus operandi makes no baseball sense, it does make business sense for an ownership that is looking to sell a baseball team. There are not going to be any surprise Josh Hamilton announcements this offseason. Yet, maybe someday soon Yankee fans can wake up to the headline that they are free of the Hank, Hal, and Randy triumvirate.