MLB trade rumors: Yankees interested in Gerrit Cole

The Yankees’ winter shopping spree continues, as Jon Heyman reports the team is interested in starting pitcher Gerrit Cole, who the Pirates were rumored to be willing to deal over last season’s trade deadline. The news arrives as Giancarlo Stanton’s seat at his introductory press conference is still lukewarm.

Heyman also noted the Pirates are likely not dealing Cole, but the Yankees are still reaching out nonetheless. Cole was a target for Brian Cashman and the Yanks in July, but wound up “settling” for Sonny Gray.

After losing out on the Shohei Otani sweepstakes, the Yankees are looking for another starting pitcher to round out the rotation. CC Sabathia is still a distinct possibility, though he has also been speaking with the Angels about a potential deal.

Cole, 27, is coming off a down year in which he posted a 4.26 ERA, the worst of his career.