David Cone is already counting down the days to pitchers and catchers reporting. Not even the NFL playoffs can hold his attention—he admitted to dozing off during the Chiefs-Bills AFC Championship Game. His focus is on baseball and, more specifically, on how the Yankees have responded to Juan Soto’s shocking decision to join the Mets.
David Cone on Yankees’ post-Soto moves: ‘They’re probably going to the World Series’
While losing Soto could have sent the Yankees into panic mode, Hal Steinbrenner remains unfazed. The Yankees owner has confidently stated that the team is better today than when they reached the World Series last season—a bold claim from the typically measured executive. But there’s a case to be made. Soto’s departure set off a series of moves that brought Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, and Max Fried to the Bronx.
Cone sees that as the bigger picture. Instead of fixating on Juan Soto taking an extra $5 million to play in Queens, he suggests Yankees fans take a Godfather-like approach: It’s nothing personal, it’s just business.
“Get over it,” Cone said. “And how you get over it is just by what the Yankees are doing. You pivot.”
The former Yankees ace, a five-time World Series champion, is optimistic about the team’s transition. In his view, they are “probably going” back to the World Series.
Soto’s free agency reshaped the market, pushing player salaries higher. “It’s really indicative of the current system,” Cone said. “You have someone like Soto, who drives everything up, to see how far he can push it in free agency.” Ultimately, he wasn’t surprised by Soto’s decision. “You could see it coming, just by the way he handled himself. No shock there.”
The Yankees made a strong effort to keep Soto, reminding him that the American League offers a smoother path to the World Series than the loaded National League. “The NL is a monster right now,” Cone said. “But 2024 was special. Watching Soto and Aaron Judge was like watching Ruth and Gehrig. Fans should be thankful they got to experience that.”
Now, the Yankees are moving forward. There’s still a question mark at third base, but Cone believes they are close. “They’re still assessing a long-term solution,” he said. “Is there another Scott Brosius out there? Someone overlooked who can pick it and hit some bombs?”
The Yankees strengthened their roster with Bellinger, Goldschmidt, and Devin Williams, each bringing key skills. Bellinger, in particular, excites Cone. “With his swing and how the ball carries in Yankee Stadium, he’s going to love it,” he said. “And with his versatility, Judge moves back to right—it all fits.”
Goldschmidt also adds depth. “Even if he’s just league average, that’s a huge plus,” Cone said. “If your team is league average or better at every position, you’re probably going to the World Series.”
The rotation’s biggest addition is Fried, a pitcher Cone believes will thrive in New York. “That big, beautiful curveball—there aren’t many lefties throwing a 12-6 like that anymore,” he said. “He knows how to pitch to soft contact, which will help him. Everyone throws hard now, but there’s still value in a traditional four-pitch guy with a big hook.”
The Yankees’ strong offseason reflects in their World Series odds. According to ESPN BET, they hold the second-best odds at +800, trailing only the reigning champion Dodgers (+300). The Mets (+850) and Braves (+900) round out the top four.
If there’s any concern about Fried adjusting to New York, Cone isn’t buying it. “That’s always a test, but if anyone can handle it, it’s Fried,” he said. “Atlanta’s a big market, he’s pitched in big games, he’s faced the Mets often. And the fact that he wanted to be here—when he had other options—says a lot.”
Aaron Boone, Cone added, remains a steady presence in the clubhouse. “Boone is one of the best I’ve seen at keeping a team together,” he said. “With the way the game is played today, the expectations for managers—he’s the best. He’s unflappable.”
The Yankees may not be done making moves, but Cone has seen enough. They lost Soto, but in his eyes, they’ve built a deeper, more balanced team—one that’s primed for another World Series run.
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