New York Yankees: Why the Yankees should trade for Gerrit Cole

Apr 25, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Yankees would be smart to try and trade for Pittsburgh Pirates ace, Gerrit Cole.

The New York Yankees already have some trade rumors swirling around the team. There is some that involve Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed starter Gerrit Cole. Let’s examine why the Yankees should pull the trigger on the trade.

The price to trade for Cole will be steep. But, the price could be worth it if you’re getting an ace for two and a half more years; Cole won’t become a free agent until 2020.

The Yankees have arguably the best farm system in the majors with plenty of trade assets. Although the top three prospects in the Yankees system, Gleyber Torres, Blake Rutherford, and Clint Frazier, are all bound to be future starters for the team.

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The team, though, does have other prospects that could draw interest from a Pittsburgh team that is likely to begin a rebuild sooner rather than later. A few being Jorge Mateo, Justus Sheffield, Chance Adams, and Dustin Fowler. The Yankees would definitely prefer not to trade four of their top prospects for one pitcher, but some assets will need to be traded to acquire someone of Cole’s caliber.

A trade would likely include two of prospects and a major league player from the Yankees in exchange for Cole and another player.

In exchange for giving up top prospects and a major league player, the Yankees would be getting a 26-year-old pitcher who this year who has made seven starts and holds a 1-3 record with a 3.14 ERA and 42 strikeouts.

As if his talent isn’t enough to trigger a trade, he’s only making $3.75 million this year, in addition to being eligible for two years of arbitration.

Having the ability to have Cole for an additional two years is what makes him such an appealing trade piece and can separate him from “rentals” like Yu Darvish.

Clearly adding Cole would bolster a Yankees rotation that has already been solid, and gives them the Yankees the option to either add depth to the bullpen or go to a six-man rotation.

The Yankees rotation, if it added Cole, could move C.C. Sabathia to the bullpen as a veteran arm and someone who can be relied on in lefty vs. lefty matchups. Or you go to a six-man rotation, which could help save the arms of the entire staff. Come playoff time, every team needs as many fresh arms as they can get.

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So, it would be costly for the Yankees to acquire Gerrit Cole from the Pirates. But, it would be a worthwhile move for the next two years adding that talented of a player to the rotation.

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