What do you call a team that, whenever a big name player becomes available, there is a chance said team might wind up with said player?

In baseball, we call them "the Yankees." Sure, there are other MLB teams with big payrolls who sign big-name players. But nobody quite stockpiles them like the Bronx Bombers. Here in Minnesota -- particularly after the ALDS situations in 2003, 2004 and 2009 -- we hate that with a fervent passion. We decry the disparity in payrolls and complain about how unfair it all is.

But ... couldn't we also call this kind of team "the Vikings?" Sure, the rules are different. Baseball DOES NOT HAVE a salary cap (thanks, commenter Newbie, for catching that). Football (usually) has a salary cap, and even in years like this when it doesn't, there are some guidelines governing free agency. But in terms of major moves for players, we're not sure the Vikings can be topped in the last few years. They are a team that has earned a reputation as one that will swing for the fences in an all-out pursuit of winning -- via the draft, trades or free agency. Draft? Adrian Peterson (injury history) and Percy Harvin (some character issues) weren't exactly conservative picks. Trades? The Jared Allen deal two seasons ago was bold both in terms of what was given up and what has been paid out to Allen, but so far it's been worth it. Free agency? Aside from being the most talked-about move of the 2009 season, let's not forget that acquiring Brett Favre cost the Vikings $12 million last season.

This is a team that, assuming Favre returns, is already poised to have the most star power in the NFL in 2010. The Vikings led the league when Pro Bowl selections were initially announced with eight picks last year. And now? They are apparently serious about landing LaDainian Tomlinson as a backup to Adrian Peterson. Say what you want about how much mileage Tomlinson has left, but he is certainly a huge name who as recently as Peterson's rookie year in 2007 was battling AP for honors as the best RB in the game. He also has caught at least 50 passes in every season except 2009 (including 100 grabs in 2003) and has fumbled a total of 5 times in the past 4 seasons.

What kind of team would sign a player with those credentials to play a reduced role? What kind of team do you immediately think of when a star player from another team becomes available? There aren't a lot of them, but we can think of a couple. The Yankees ... and maybe the Vikings. There will be plenty of people in these parts still grumbling about the former this season, but very few complaining about the latter.