Injuries slowed down Gerrit Cole and the Pittsburgh Pirates 2017 slate
Gerrit Cole struggled with injuries in 2016 that limited him to 116 innings with a 3.88 ERA (3.33 FIP). He was healthy enough to pitch 203 innings last year, but they came with a 4.26 ERA (4.08 FIP). Like McCutchen previous offseason, Cole’s value has dropped because of the season he just had.
One big difference is that Cole’s strikeout rate returned close to where it was in 2015, and his average fastball velocity was as good as ever (96 mph). His most significant issue was an elevated home run rate, which had never been a problem before.
Like McCutchen before last season, Cole has two years left of team control. He’s also cheaper, having made $3.75 million last year and being projected by MLB Trade Rumors to make $7.5 million in 2018 after arbitration. With his salary and two full seasons until free agency, he should bring back a good return.
Jon Heyman tweeted on Thursday that the big holdup with the Yankees and Pirates working out a trade is the primary player the Pirates want back. According to Heyman, the Pirates want shortstop Gleyber Torres to be the headliner. The Yankees would prefer to send outfielder Clint Frazier to The ‘Burgh.
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
The Pirates asking for Torres is just posturing, like the guy in your fantasy baseball league who starts off with a ridiculous offer before coming to his senses.
The Pirates won’t get one of the best prospects in baseball for Cole, even with Cole being two years from free agency.