With the MLB Winter Meetings at full speed, ESPN’s Buster Olney is reporting that the Pittsburgh Pirates may be willing to move starting pitcher Gerrit Cole.
Industry evaluators convinced the Pirates are prepared to move Gerrit Cole, if they can find the right match. Arguably best available starting pitcher in the market.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 12, 2017
If this is accurate, it will turn into a good sized bidding war.
We’ve already heard reports that the Texas Rangers are interested in him. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Cole’s hometown team, are another sensible destination. The New York Yankees also have a reported interest in Cole. We also wouldn’t be surprised to see teams like the Chicago Cubs and even Houston Astros inquire with Pittsburgh about landing Cole.
Cole is only 27. He also has two years of arbitration remaining before becoming a free agent. With a career 3.50 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 8.4 K/9 rate, he would definitely fit in well at or near the top of most starting rotations.