Astros Reportedly Revealed as One of Mystery Teams in Gerrit Cole Negotiations

We're not sure we'd qualify this as a so-called 'mystery team', yet here we are.

Gerrit Cole's free agency is going according to plan thus far for Scott Boras and his client, with the Dodgers, Yankees and Angels all fighting over his services, and willing to offer well over $300 million in the process. Yet, Boras revealed on Tuesday that there are several mystery teams inquiring for Cole as well, but would not reveal their identity.

According to recent reports, Cole's former team as recently as Oct., the Houston Astros, are interested in a reunion.

Sure, the Astros would love to bring back Cole, but at what cost?

Cole looked all but assured he would not be returning to Houston after the Astros Game 7 defeat at the hands of the Washington Nationals. Unless ownership has signed off on a record-breaking deal with complete media silence, then that's likely still the case.

Still, the Astros banking on familiarity is smart. With Pittsburgh, the stud righty was nothing more than potential. Houston made it a reality, and helped turn Cole into the best pitcher in baseball.

What's not to love?