We've known for some time that the reigning-champion Astros, angling to fortify a rotation that already includes Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel, have interest in trading for Pirates ace Gerrit Cole. According to Jon Morosi, the two sides are closing in on a trade that would send Cole to Houston ...
Source: #Astros and #Pirates have reached agreement on Gerrit Cole trade. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 10, 2018
On the other hand, Jeff Passan's sources are saying something entirely different ...
Source: "No deal" for Gerrit Cole to Houston. "False rumor."
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 10, 2018
As is the case with these things, talks could pick back up quickly. For now, though, Gerrit Cole to Houston is not happening.
Along those same lines ...
Earlier I quoted a source saying Cole to #Astros was close. Clearly that is not the case. Had heard all morning there was significant momentum toward a trade, with specific names under discussion. A deal surely remains possible. But I was mistaken to call it close at that time.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 10, 2018
Cole, 27, is coming off a 2017 season in which he pitched to a 4.26 ERA (101 ERA+) with a K/BB ratio of 3.56 in 203 innings. For his career, he owns an ERA+ of 112 across parts of five big-league seasons. Cole has some of the best stuff of any starter -- a 96-mph fastball to go with a wipeout slider and full complement of supporting pitches -- and in 2015 he proved he's capable of pitching at an elite level. As well, Cole isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2019 season. That's key from the Houston standpoint, as Keuchel is eligible for free agency after the upcoming season, and it seems unlikely that the Astros will be able to re-sign him before he hits the market.
On a more immediate level, the addition of Cole -- should it come to pass -- would give the Astros a front three that compares favorably to any in the game today. As well, the depth that flows from adding Cole would allow them to fill the final two spots with some combination of Lance McCullers, Brad Peacock, and Charlie Morton. Elsewhere in the AL, the Yankees had also been strongly linked to Cole, so perhaps they're still lurking on the periphery.
As for the Pirates, a Cole deal would likely signaly a reboot for 2018, and it wouldn't surprise if -- in the event that Cole goes -- notable names like Andrew McCutchen and Josh Harrison were also moved in the coming weeks.
