Yankees Trade Rumors: Michael Fulmer, Gerrit Cole Options As NY Targets Pitchers

Michael Fulmer Detroit Tigers — Michael Fulmer, pictured at Comerica Park on Aug. 24, 2017 in Detroit, is reportedly a trade target. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

It turns out that the New York Yankees’ acquisition of Giancarlo Stanton might have just been the beginning of what’s going to be a wild 2017-2018 offseason for the Bronx Bombers. There are plenty of trade rumors swirling around the team as they look to improve the roster for a 2018 World Series run.

Less than 24 hours after introducing Stanton at a press conference, the Yankees reportedly traded Chase Headley and pitcher Bryan Mitchell to the San Diego Padres. More moves are likely to come with New York setting its eyes on a starting pitcher.

Gerrit Cole and Michael Fulmer, specifically, are two names that have been linked to the Yankees in recent days. Both are young, quality starters that could help the team win in 2018 and won’t be eligible for free agency for a few more years.

Before the Yankees traded for Sonny Gray in July, there was speculation that they might try to add the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starter. New York reportedly remains interested in the right-hander.

Cole struggled in 2017, pitching to a career-worst 4.26 ERA. He has a career 3.50 ERA and finished fourth in the 2015 NL Cy Young voting by going 19-10 with a 2.60 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. Cole was the first overall selection in the 2011 MLB Draft.

Trading for Fulmer would probably cost the Yankees even more. The Detroit Tigers’ starter is only 24 years old after pitching to a 3.83 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP in 2017. Fulmer won the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year award by going 11-7 with a 3.06 ERA.

Source: Yankees have RHP Michael Fullmer of the Tigers as a potential trade target. Fullmer still has five years of club control; would bring back nice haul for Detroit. @BNightengale first to mention Yankees/Fullmer connection.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 12, 2017

#Yankees interest in #Tigers Fulmer is high. So is the price in prospects. Chance Adams, Justus Sheffield certainly in the mix. Clint Frazier, Tyler Wade, Albert Abreu, Thairo Estrada all possible. Gleyber Torres and Estevan Florial close to untouchable. https://t.co/ojohRw99Dv
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) December 12, 2017

#Yankees are 2/6ths to ideal offseason with get Stanton, deal Headley. Rest: re-sign Frazier/CC, trade for young controllable SP such as Cole or Fulmer, get out of as much of Ellsbury $$ as possible. #keepscoreathome
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 12, 2017

Detroit is rebuilding after trading Justin Verlander and J.D. Martinez during the season. New York would likely have to send the Tigers multiple highly valued prospects in order to make a deal work. Outfielder Clint Frazier has become expendable now that the team added Stanton. Pitching prospects like Chance Adams and Justus Sheffield might have to be included in a trade with Detroit.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale has reported that the Yankees also have Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitcher Patrick Corbin on their radar. Corbin has a 4.12 ERA in five MLB seasons.

Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka and Sonny Gray are all guaranteed to have a spot in the Yankees’ 2018 rotation. The team is the favorite to sign C.C. Sabathia, who is a free agent after spending the last nine seasons with the club. Left-hander Jordan Montgomery had a 3.88 ERA as a rookie and could be New York’s No.5 starter.

Rounding out the rotation is New York’s top priority. Stanton, Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez probably make up the best lineup in all of baseball. The Yankees had the third-best bullpen ERA last season.