When Juan Soto signed with the Mets, Yankees fans everywhere were devastated. However,
the team pivoted and signed free agents Max Fried and Paul Goldschmidt and later traded for
Cody Bellinger, Devin Williams, and Fernando Cruz. Given that Gerrit Cole was lost for the entire
2025 season due to Tommy John surgery, the Fried signing became the most important move of
that offseason. Had Soto returned to the Bronx, odds are the team wouldn’t have had any of
those players. I believe that Juan Soto not returning to the Bronx did the Yankees a favor.
Before the 2025 season, the Yankees desired for Juan Soto to return to the Bronx beyond 2024.
He was just coming off a career year, had become a fan favorite, and helped the Yankees make
their first World Series in 15 years. The bidding for Soto was intense as the Blue Jays and Mets
were also interested in having him in their lineups. To the dismay of Yankees fans everywhere,
Soto signed with the New York Mets for a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million deal. While
Mets fans stupidly chanted that New York was no longer a Yankee town, the Bronx Bombers
quickly found a solution.
Despite already having proven starters in Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and reigning Rookie of the
Year Winner Luis Gil, the Yankees signed Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million deal. This was
the largest contract ever given out to a left-handed starting pitcher. The Fried signing would
become the most important move the Yankees made that offseason.
Just days after acquiring Fried, New York acquired star closer Devin Williams from the Brewers
in exchange for starter Nestor Cortes and then-prospect Caleb Durbin. To replace Soto, the
Yankees acquired Cody Bellinger from the Cubs, taking on $25 million of that deal, and only
having to give up depth pitcher Cody Poteet. Not long after acquiring Bellinger, the team traded
for reliever Fernando Cruz in exchange for catcher Jose Trevino. Topping off their offseason,
veteran free agent Paul Goldschmidt was signed to a one-year, $12.5 million deal. Despite the
flurry of moves, doubts persisted about the team being able to survive losing Juan Soto.
As it turned out, it was a good thing the team didn’t bring Juan Soto back. Before the start of
the season, it was announced that Gerrit Cole needed Tommy John surgery. This meant that the
former Cy Young winner wouldn’t pitch at all in 2025, as well as part of 2026. The team
immediately turned to Fried to fill the hole that Cole was leaving. The three-time All-Star has
more than answered the call. In nearly two seasons, the 32-year-old has gone 23-6 with a 2.71
ERA, 226 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.043. Last season, he was an All-Star, and his 19 wins led
the American League. Given the loss of Cole, it’s fair to wonder where this team would’ve
ended up without Max Fried.
While nobody will ever be able to truly duplicate Juan Soto’s production, Cody Bellinger has
come close. In his first season in pinstripes, the former MVP slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29
home runs, 98 RBI, and an OPS of .813. Unlike Soto, Bellinger is a great defensive outfielder. He
finished last season with a +12 in defensive runs saved, an outs above average of +5, and only
committed three errors. The Yankees recently brought back the 30-year-old on a five-year,
$162.5 million deal, this time fending off the Mets.
Devin Williams was ultimately a failure with the Yankees. However, New York’s other reliever
acquisition, Fernando Cruz, has been a success. Last season, Cruz emerged as a key high-
leverage arm for the Yankees. Despite battling injuries in 2025, he finished the season with a
3.56 ERA, a 36% strikeout rate, and a WHIP of 1.188. I fully expect the 36-year-old to again be a
high-leverage arm the Yankees depend on in 2026.
The Yankees knew that when they signed Paul Goldschmidt, he’d no longer be an MVP-caliber
player. Despite receiving offers that included more playing time, the veteran first baseman
opted to return in 2026 as more of a role player. When called upon to play, he’s been a reliable
bat, especially against lefties. In 156 games for New York, the 38-year-old has slashed
.269/.326/.404 with 11 home runs, 49 RBI, and an OPS of .730. He’s also still proven to be
reliable on defense at first base. The former MVP has become a veteran leader in the clubhouse
and a mentor to younger players such as Ben Rice. Judging how hot Rice has been to begin the
season, nobody can say the team hasn’t benefited.
While Juan Soto’s departure for the Mets hurt, the Yankees benefited from it in the long term.
Had Soto returned, players like Max Fried, Cody Bellinger, Fernando Cruz, and Paul Goldschmidt
would most likely be playing elsewhere. Losing Gerrit Cole for all of 2025 would’ve been much
more devastating to the starting rotation. Fried, Bellinger, Cruz, and Goldschmidt have been key
cogs for the team. Without them in pinstripes, things could’ve unfolded very differently for this
team.
