The New York Yankees are reportedly expected to pursue right-hander Gerrit Cole during this upcoming offseason.
The 2019 season is officially over for the New York Yankees. The Houston Astros stunned the Bombers in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. With the score tied 4-4, Houston second baseman José Altuve smacked a two-run walk-off home run to send the Astros to the Fall Classic.
Thus, let the offseason commence. One of the priorities New York should focus on, now that they have time, is to upgrade their starting pitching. Throughout the regular season, New York’s rotation was 15th in the majors with a 4.51 combined ERA. As far as their options are concerned, one individual they’re reportedly expected to pursue is Astros right-hander Gerrit Cole.
Andy Martino of SNY writes, “Our early feel, based on conversations with major league sources, is that the Yanks are expected to engage on Gerrit Cole, for the simple reason that he’s currently the best pitcher in baseball and would look great at the top of their rotation.”
Cole posted an amazing 20-5 record through 33 starts this regular season. He finished 2019 with an ERA of 2.50 and a WHIP of 0.895 with 326 strikeouts and 48 walks through 212.1 innings pitched. He finds himself in the conversation for the American League Cy Young Award.
Cole pitched in the 4-1 victory over the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALCS. In that matchup, he threw 7.0 innings, allowing just four hits and zero earned runs. Additionally, he struck out seven batters and walked five.
