We get a comp draft pick if Keuchel walks... you preferably need as many competent arms as possible in the playoffs... or it is... Tony Sipp time.
I think if Astros want to keep Tucker and Whitley they will. Only way they include either in a trade, is if they see a hole in their projectibility for either. McCullers might just be moved to closer’s duty if such a trade is done. Verlander Keutchel Cole Morton Peacock / Musgrove/ McHugh / Martes That is quite a starting rotation with some great long relief guys. Though I think any of Martes, Musgrove, or Pecock might be included in a package for Coke; if Tucker and Whiteley aren’t included.
Cole might not be a real ace or even a really good #2 starter, but a pitching rotation of Verlander, Keuchel, McCullers, Cole and Morton with Peacock, McHugh and Musgrove (and Martes if you're able to hold on to him in the Cole trade) as long relievers/fill in guys is incredibly attractive. You would be hard pressed to find many rotations (and pitching staffs as a whole) better than that. Cole has electric stuff so if our pitching coaches can help him fine tune a few things he could very easily be a solid #2/really really good #3 type of pitcher on our staff.
Will be a phenomenal trade as long as Tucker or Whitley aren't involved. Doubt either of them would be. If you have to choose though you'd 100% rather give up Tucker. I think a package along the lines of Martes, Fisher and Moran could get it done.
Yes sir, but I would also argue that Fisher and Moran would suffice. That's over 10 years of value for only two years of Cole, who has been trending down the last 2 seasons. I still like him, but I also want to keep assets for another deal, if we so desire.
#3 Gerrit Cole is going to be great. SP depth now flush, can get through the whole season without dipping into the AAAA types.
Is the thread title playing with anyone else's head? It is not official yet is it? I am feverishly F5ing here and MLBTR, and haven't found anything official yet. Remember that a Cole to Yankees trade was "imminent" for what felt like weeks.
Even though I am still F5ing like a mad man, it also just occurred to me that we rarely EVER hear about a deal until it is official. So this very well could be the Pirates' front office leaking these rumors, in the hopes to get the Yankees to up their offer. Just a theory as the suspense builds...
