What the Nationals offered is irrelevant to the fact that the Yankees have now signed the 3 biggest names on the market, and Manny might be next.
In fact, that only backs up my argument because he might have accepted their offer had the Yankees been incapable of giving him one of their own after spending all their would-be cap room on other players.
Also, whether or not they win is also irrelevant. Their success rate doesn't negate the fact that a lack of a salary cap makes it damn near impossible for small market teams to keep their home grown talent and why teams like the A's always trade them off in their prime so they can at least get something for them.