THE Yankees should sign David Cone. Not out of nostalgia. Not out of charity. But for the best reason. Need.
George Steinbrenner told Cone last week he would consider inking the free agent if the righty remained jobless. Was it mercy? Was it one-upsmanship, since several Mets were trying to convince GM Steve Phillips to sign Cone? With Steinbrenner, we assume the worst. But maybe this would be for the best.
The Yanks have Roger Clemens, Sterling Hitchcock, Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte and David Wells starting. They plan on trading Orlando Hernandez. The bullpen certainties are Mariano Rivera, Steve Karsay, Ramiro Mendoza and Mike Stanton. Add Ted Lilly if he is not traded because he is out of options.
That leaves what the Mets do not have for Cone at present, a definable role, the righty long-relief spot. The internal candidates are Adrian Hernandez, Brett Jodie and Brandon Knight. The Yanks could sign Cone and still have that trio at Columbus as insurance.
The Yankee baseball people are against Cone over three worries: 1. Will he really accept a bullpen role? 2. Will he really accept a small base salary? and 3. Will he be happy, productive and a leader without a rotation spot and guaranteed dollars?
Cone said last week he prefers starting, but added he would trust Joe Torre to use him properly. As a big union man, Cone has always pushed for the most money. But, at age 39 with a questionable arm, Cone said he would take a small base and earn his bucks through incentives.
During a miserable 4-14, 6.91 2000, Cone was downcast and inconsequential in the Yankee clubhouse. At that time, however, Cone was still making major dollars with major expectations. That made him feel as if he were the team’s problem and should not lead. This time he would have a much different role, expectations and dollar figure, which would make it easier to lead regardless of results.
The Yanks have lost clubhouse bedrocks Scott Brosius, Tino Martinez and Paul O’Neill. Cone would fill some of the void. But this is not purely about off the field. Cone was 9-7 with a 4.31 ERA last season with the Red Sox, and did markedly better than the AL average against righty batters, which would be key to a bullpen role.
Clemens, Hitchcock and Wells are health risks, so the No. 6 starter is important. Would you rather Jodie start at Boston in August because of an injury or Cone? Cone might fail because 16 seasons of sliders are too much. But he will not fail because he is scared of New York or the moment.
Maybe Cone really does have nothing left. If he is a man of his word, though, there would not be a big financial risk for the Yanks to find out nor a painful loss from the bullpen if he fails. But there could be much to gain here. Certainly more than Boss-inspired charity.