Yankees Rumors: Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg Meeting With New York, NYY Eyeing Wheeler, Bumgarner

Gerrit Cole Houston Astros — Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches in the eighth inning of Game 2 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park on October 05, 2019 in Houston, Texas. Tim Warner/Getty Images

The New York Yankees are officially beginning their pursuit of MLB’s top pitchers in free agency. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the club will meet with both Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg over Tuesday and Wednesday.

The news comes less than a week before the 2019 Winter Meetings are set to begin. The star pitchers, both of whom are represented by agent Scott Boras, are expected to meet with multiple teams before the league convenes in San Diego on Dec. 8.

It’s highly unlikely that both pitchers will sign before the Winter Meetings. As Cole seeks a record-setting contract, his free agency is expected to extend into 2020.

Strasburg could potentially ink a new deal soon. The Washington Nationals agreed to a six-year, $140 million contract with Patrick Corbin before the 2018 Winter Meetings. Corbin was the top starting pitcher on the market.

Washington is in play to re-sign Strasburg, who just won the World Series MVP award with the Nationals. The Houston Astros might have a hard time keeping Cole.

There appears to be a feeling around baseball that both pitchers could return to their home state of California. A native of San Diego, Strasburg would be a logical signing for the Padres. The Los Angeles Angels are considered to be the favorites to land Cole.

The Los Angeles Dodgers could make a run at one of the pitchers with both Rich Hill and Hyun-jin Ryu becoming free agents.

Rosenthal has reported that the Yankees are making Cole a priority. New York attempted to trade for the right-hander two offseasons ago, but the Pittsburgh Pirates ultimately sent him to Houston. Cole beat New York in Game 3 of the 2019 ALCS in the middle of a historic individual playoff run.

Zack Wheeler has met personally with several teams already, per sources. Unconfirmed if Yankees have been among them yet, but they’re trying to balance Cole priority with keeping others like Wheeler and Bumgarner in the mix if needed.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) December 3, 2019

The Yankees are looking to upgrade their rotation one way or another. According to SNY’s Andy Martino, New York has its eyes on Zack Wheeler and Madison Bumgarner while they court Cole.

There were rumors that the Yankees might acquire Wheeler or Bumgarner before last season’s trade deadline, but neither pitcher was moved.

Wheeler has reportedly met with several teams. It’s unknown if the Yankees are in that group.

Major league baseball