The newest surrounding the New York Yankees and Gerrit Cole is that it’s close even with Gleyber Torres and Estevan Florial out of the deal.
The Hot Stove is still sizzling for the New York Yankees. Reports surfaced Thursday evening that Gerrit Cole will likely be in pinstripes very soon.
Jeff Passan of YahooSports.com broke the news that the Yankees are working on a deal to land Cole before Christmas.
Sources: The New York Yankees are working on a deal to acquire starting pitcher Gerrit Cole from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Sides are talking, and while a final package has not come together, there is confidence. "A matter of when rather than if," one source said.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 22, 2017
While a specific package has not been revealed, talk from earlier this month says that Clint Frazier might be included in a package to nab the starter.
This report comes just one day after Ken Rosenthal reported that talks have slowed down between the Yankees and Pirates in terms of Cole.
Well, if we know anything about Brian Cashman it is that you can never count the man out. He’s been heavy on Cole since the beginning of Winter Meetings. We know he always gets what he wants, no matter how lopsided the trade.
Remember, he just used Starlin Castro as bait to get the reigning NL MVP in Giancarlo Stanton. He could likely pull off a blockbuster to get a solid number three or four starter to help solidify the rotation.
However, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, there is one major holdup that might be keeping Cole from pinstripes.
yankees have always loved gerrit cole, and maybe they work a deal eventually. but still hearing of one big holdup: pirates want gleyber to headline package, yanks want frazier to headline it.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 22, 2017
Now here’s the incredible part. If the Yankees trade for Cole, their five starting pitchers will all have been in at least one All-Star game. But would that be worth giving up Gleyber Torres?
It would be hard to say for sure, but if the Yankees don’t agree to move Torres, I don’t forsee the Cole trade going down.
Let’s see where this one goes. Who knows? Maybe by the time Santa Claus comes down the chimney, Gerrit Cole will be getting one incredible Christmas present in the form of a pinstriped uniform.
Update, 10:13 p.m. ET:
George A. King III of the New York Post is reporting the deal is close without Gleyber Torres or Esteval Florial involved.
“When you bring up those two names to the Yankees the talks stop,’’ said an official with a team other than the Pirates that has been engaged with the Yankees.
