It’s being reported that the Pittsburgh Pirates are very close to trading Gerrit Cole to the New York Yankees.
Punxsutawney is about an hour-and-a-half drive from Pittsburgh, but it’s the Pittsburgh Pirates who seem to be experiencing Groundhog Day this winter.
For much of the last offseason, the Pirates seemed to be on the verge of trading star outfielder Andrew McCutchen. It appeared he was as good as gone. Then he wasn’t. He was back in the Pirates lineup on Opening Day.
During the offseason, it’s star pitcher Gerrit Cole who is perpetually on the cusp of being traded. The Pirates and Yankees have been dancing around a trade for a couple of weeks now. Jeff Passan tweeted on Thursday that one source claimed a Pirates—Yankees trade is “A matter of when rather than if.”
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
Pirates fans have been here before. When the McCutchen rumors were heating up the hot stove last offseason, it sparked a debate among fans. Many wanted him to remain in Pittsburgh, while others could see the benefit of trading him.
Cutch is a very well-liked player who has been with the team his entire career and has a good rapport with the fans. He also signed a team-friendly contract before the 2012 season that would pay him $51.5 million over six seasons. That contract expires after this season.