MLB Insider Claims 'Initial Offers' Coming for Gerrit Cole This Week and Yankees Remain Favorites
The Gerrit Cole rumors are getting wild, but the prevailing theme is that the New York Yankees want him and remain at the forefront in the early going.
It may take some initial offers before we find out what Cole is thinking, and Jeff Passan was here to deliver a dose of reality after Peter Gammons' bizarre message on Saturday, though it certainly remains optimistic news for fans of the Bronx Bombers.
The Gerrit Cole sweepstakes is moving to the point where teams will be making initial offers in the coming days, sources tell ESPN. The three favorites remain the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2019
The Yankees have made it clear that no dollar amount is too high to acquire the star right-hander. The same should be true for both Los Angeles teams, who also have an advantage based on Cole being born and raised in Southern California.
The pace of negotiations for Gerrit Cole is TBD. It could move very fast. It may well hit a snag. A lot depends on the initial offers. But know this: Teams recognize that there is a very strong market and that showing the depth of interest with a strong first offer is favorable.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2019
Cole has been a golden goose for the Yankees ever since the team drafted him in the first round of the 2008 MLB Draft, only to watch him go to UCLA instead. The chase has gone on for over a decade.
The Yankees have reportedly "backburnered" any non-Gerrit Cole business https://t.co/93UqnlokTh pic.twitter.com/CR9rzLIwmu
— SNY (@SNYtv) December 7, 2019
The Yankees being so focused on Cole is a risk, as the market will continue to move and top players will find new teams. There must be a strong belief in the organization that Cole is indeed going to sign with the team.
Seeing the initial offers will give the Yankees a sense of what exact contract is needed to acquire the star. Or perhaps the team is ready to offer something so high that the Angels and Dodgers walk away without a fight.
More should be known Monday, unless a shocking signing is made before then. The Yankees may decide to throw patience aside in the name of getting their guy.