For the past several weeks, it seems like the race to acquire AL Cy Young runner-up Gerrit Cole has been between the two Los Angeles-based teams and the New York Yankees.
We’re now hearing reports that a mystery team has entered the sweepstakes. That information comes via Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
In following up with this report, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle noted that Cole views the Giants a “desirable destination.”
This could potentially throw everything for a loop. Coming off yet another non-playoff season, the Giants have not been linked to top-end free agents thus far this winter.
With that said, Giants president Farhan Zaidi just recently noted that he expects them to be more active than what we saw last offseason. The fluidity of this year’s market compared to last winter plays into that.
Whether a rebuilding Giants squad can even come close to matching what could be a $300-plus million offer to Cole remains to be seen. His value increased big time on Monday after Stephen Strasburg re-signed with the Washington Nationals on a record deal.
There is, however, a somewhat interesting fit here. San Franciso is moving in the outfield fences at Oracle Park. Despite this, it’s still going to be one of the most pitcher-friendly stadiums in all of baseball. That could be enticing to Cole.
As of right now, the market is fluid when it comes to the dominating 29-year-old pitcher.
- Dodgers president Andrew Friedman noted during the winter meetings on Monday that he has yet to set up a meeting with Cole. That doesn’t mean the Dodgers are out of it.
- The Yankees have apparently already made an offer to Cole. Whether it’s enough for the pitcher to accept remains to be seen.
The expectation is that something will get done on this front by the end of the week. Stay tuned!