Trade talks between the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates over pitcher Gerrit Cole are apparently back on.
Yahoo’s Jeff Passan reported on Thursday evening that the Yankees are working on a deal for Cole.
Sources: The New York Yankees are working on a deal to acquire starting pitcher Gerrit Cole from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Sides are talking, and while a final package has not come together, there is confidence. "A matter of when rather than if," one source said.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 22, 2017
Passan further reports that if a trade between the teams falls through, the Pirates are still likely to trade the pitcher regardless.
The Yankees at this point are the likeliest destination for Gerrit Cole, but if that falls through, sources believe Pittsburgh is highly motivated to trade him. Likelihood Cole moves is very strong.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 22, 2017
Cole, 27, is coming off a down season in which he posted a career-worst 4.26 ERA. He is under team control for two more seasons, which makes him attractive to teams looking to acquire him. The former No. 1 overall pick is 59-42 with a 3.50 ERA during his career.
