The New York Yankees will likely make an attempt to lure free-agent pitcher Gerrit Cole to the Bronx, but they may miss out once again.
There’s certainly no hiding the fact that the New York Yankees have been one of the many teams who are extremely interested in marquee pitcher Gerrit Cole.
However, the Yankees may be in danger of losing out on the three-time All-Star to one of the two teams in Los Angeles.
According to Andy Martino of SNY, there’s a sense that Cole would prefer to sign with one of either the Dodgers or the Angels over the Yankees this winter.
There is a general industry perception that Gerrit Cole prefers the west coast, but the Yankees don’t have any specific information from the agent or player to indicate he would choose California over Bronx. They’re still in.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) November 26, 2019
In addition to Cole wanting to play for one of his hometown teams, Martino also reports that the Angels are ready to go all out to land the 29-year-old this offseason.
While the Angels may be preparing to offer Cole any amount of money he desires, Martino reaffirms that the Yankees, who are one of the wealthiest organizations in the league, remain in the sweepstakes for the 2019 AL Cy Young runner-up as well.
Paired with the industry perception that Cole wants west coast is perception that Angels are ready to go bonkers for him and spend whatever it takes. But again, Yankees in on him as of now.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) November 26, 2019
Additionally, Jon Heyman spoke on MLB Tonight back on Monday, about where he believes Cole will sign and if the Yankees have a chance to win his services.
“The Yankees believe that he’s probably going to go to the Angels,” Heyman said. “But either of them would not shock me.”
While Cole hasn’t previously stated his preference to stay on the west coast, there seems to be a growing sense that he’ll indeed be heading in that direction.
This also wouldn’t be the first or even second time that the Yankees have failed to acquire Cole throughout his career. During the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft, the Yankees selected Cole 28th overall. But, Cole decided to play for the University of California instead. Prior to the Astros acquiring Cole in a trade on Jan. 13, 2018, the Yankees were also heavily involved in attempting to acquire the dominant righty.
If the Yankees are unable to bring Cole to the east coast this offseason, then general manager Brian Cashman will need to find another way to fill his team’s current void at the front of their pitching staff.
