With the signing of Stephen Strasburg to a record-setting seven-year, $245 million contract, the market for Gerrit Cole seems to be taking off.
While it was rumored that the 29-year-old flamethrower would like to make his decision before the turn of the decade, there will likely be a bidding war that won’t be resolved in short order.
While the Yankees and Angels appear to be the clear-cut frontrunners for the reigning AL Cy Young runner-up, other teams like the Dodgers and Phillies have seen their names emerge in the mix.
Let’s take a look at each team’s case for acquiring the right-hander.
New York Yankees
What crippled the 103-win New York Yankees in 2019 was the lack of a legitimate top-of-the-rotation arm. While James Paxton and Masahiro Tanaka were able to hold their own while they awaited the return of Luis Severino, the team greatly suffered from not having a Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg type.
On top of that, Brian Cashman and co. have done a great job managing their budget over the past few seasons, allowing them to make a huge splash this winter. With that being said, they always know when it’s best to walk away –– and Gerrit Cole’s potential contract over $300 million could be grounds for taking another route.
Los Angeles Angels
Joe Maddon said Cole, Strasburg and Wheeler were the only three free agent pitchers he talked to this winter.
He also said Arte Moreno is "all-in." #Angels
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) December 10, 2019
The Angels are a team whose growing desperation could lead to a spending spree. Arte Moreno being “all-in” about getting Cole means that he very well could be willing to go the extra mile to assure his offer is the best. Ten years, somewhere in the ballpark of $350 million should not be ruled out.
The Angels have a promising future, and it starts with getting an Ace. The main question now is will Gerrit Cole be willing to punt on 2020 for a better future in 2021 and beyond?
That remains to be seen, however.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are a weird player in the Cole sweepstakes. There isn’t exactly a glaring need to go that extreme with bolstering their rotation, but the thought of coupling Cole with the emerging phenom of Walker Buehler is a scary thought for the rest of baseball.
While they likely are more serious players for Anthony Rendon, the decline of Clayton Kershaw is becoming more of a glaring issue. He’s not the same workhorse he had been in previous years, and it’s beginning to show more frequently.
Signing Cole could help ease the transition of Clayton Kershaw into more of a great No. 3 starter.
Philadelphia Phillies
Signing Zack Wheeler likely makes Philly a proverbial “non-player” in the hunt for Gerrit Cole, but they still make for a fascinating destination.
Signing Harper, Robertson, and Wheeler, coupled with the trades for Realmuto and Segura and mixed with their interest in signing Josh Donaldson or trading for Kris Bryant, make it seem as though Philadelphia is ready to open their pockets and buy their way into the postseason.
While the Phillies could likely benefit from the addition of a southpaw to complement their right-handed-heavy rotation, signing the best pitcher in baseball is certainly a solid alternative.
The fact of the matter is that Gerrit Cole is going to break the bank this winter, and one of these teams will be lucky to acquire his services. Only time will tell what uniform Cole will be donning in 2020 and beyond.
