New York Yankees: offseason success contingent on signing Gerrit Cole
The New York Yankees have had ample opportunities to acquire ace starters, but never pulled the trigger. This offseason, the team’s success rests on getting this particular starter.
Prior to the 2017 MLB season, the New York Yankees had an opportunity to acquire one of baseball’s best pitchers in Chris Sale. At the time, fans of the team were told that the price tag for the lefty was too high.
Later that season, Justin Verlander became available, but instead, he went to the Houston Astros where he ended up winning the World Series after helping to eliminate the Yankees in seven games in the ALCS.
Cut to mid-2018 and Gerrit Cole, who was once drafted by the New York Yankees becomes available. At the time, general manager Brian Cashman didn’t pull the trigger because, as was the case with Sale and Verlander, the price tag was just too high.
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Once the hot stove season commences, the Yanks will have an opportunity to undo one of these mistakes, and lucky for them, it could pay off in a big way. That’s because, after the 2019 MLB season officially comes to a close Gerrit Cole is set to become a free agent.
The Yankees have been flirting with postseason success for three seasons now, and it seems the only thing keeping them from going over the hump is a surefire ace.
In the regular season, they’re by far the worst team in terms of starters to make the playoffs. By signing Cole, they’ll be adding to their rotation someone who has immense stamina, can shut down any given lineup, and rises to the big moment.
Getting Cole won’t be an easy task, however. Given just how good he has been with the Houston Astros, many teams will be vying for his services.
Also, since he is widely considered to be the best pitcher in baseball, he will be looking to exceed David Price‘s current contract (7-years, $217M).
Lucky for the New York Yankees, they have the money to afford such a deal. The question is, do they have the guts to follow through with it.
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I would argue that if they don’t, this offseason will be an unmitigated failure.