CC Sabathia Claims He and Gerrit Cole Had Discussions About What It's Like Pitching for Yankees

MLB Hot Stove season is upon us, where there are plenty of huge free agent names that teams will be vying over. Perhaps the largest name among the group is former Houston Astros pitcher Gerrit Cole, who could potentially earn a record-breaking contract this winter.

Yet, it's a matter of which team can win the "Gerrit Cole Sweepstakes." One team expected to make a run at him is the New York Yankees, and there may be smoke to the proverbial fire.

In the latest episode of the "R2C2 Podcast," host and recently retired Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia revealed that he had many conversations with Cole about being a West Coast pitcher playing in the Bronx.

"Me and Gerrit Cole have spoken at length many times about me pitching as a Yankee as a West Coast guy," said Sabathia.

The long-standing belief around the league is that despite Cole growing up a Yankees fan, he has little desire in joining them, with many pointing to the organization failing to sign him back in 2008 following that year's MLB Draft.

Sabathia, a Vallejo, Calif. native, shut those opinions down by saying if the Yankees offered him enough money, he'll play in New York.

Sabathia knows the position Cole is in. Back in 2008, he was a highly coveted pitcher on the free agency market, and opted to sign a seven-year, $161 million contract with the Yankees. That very next season, the Yankees won their 27th World Series championship.

It would be very ironic if New York was able to land another Californian pitcher in Cole (from Newport Beach), which would no doubt make the Bronx Bombers heavy World Series favorites in 2020. However, Cole is expected to command an eight-year contract, which would pay him $35 million a year.