Yankees: Gerrit Cole is far from a necessity

If you asked me a week ago if the Yankees would have acquired Gerrit Cole by now, my answer most certainly would have been yes. 

However, the details of this potential deal may quite be the most inconsistent batch of rumors I’ve ever heard regarding an MLB trade. It’s been reported that the Pirates are seeking top Yankees prospect Gleyber Torres to headline the package they would receive in exchange for Gerrit Cole, which instantly decreases the likelihood of a deal to get done.

Torres currently sits as the Yankees’ top prospect and the 2nd best in all of baseball, which makes dealing him a non-starter for general manager Brian Cashman.

With all the back and forth nonsense these negotiations seem to carry, it brings up the question if whether or not Cole is worth all the trouble.

The 27-year-old right-hander suffered a down year in 2017, pitching to a 4.26 ERA while giving up 31 home runs, blowing away his career high of 11. However, Cole is just two years removed from finishing 5th in NL Cy Young voting after winning 19 games with a 2.60 ERA

Cole’s talent is still certainly there for the former 3rd overall draft pick, but is he the type of talent the Yankees are really in need of? 

More from Yankees News

• Yankees’ Marwin González replaces Red Sox LF in Japan in logical next step
• Blue Jays overpaying for Yankees trade target shows they’re trying too hard
• Aaron Judge’s influence on Carlos Rodón shows he’s more powerful than Yankees
• Yankees sign 2022 Red Sox reliever, invite him to spring training
• Yankees trade Lucas Luetge for 2 intriguing Braves prospects after DFA

With an offense that will most certainly rank among the best in baseball and an already excellent rotation of Severino-Tanaka-Gray-Sabathia-Montgomery, the need for another top-notch starter isn’t there.

Sure, the acquisition of Cole would send Yankee fans into a frenzy (myself included), but he shouldn’t be labeled as anything close to a necessity, but more so as gravy to an already World Series caliber ball club.

And if a deal is to happen, the departure of Clint Frazier and possibly Chance Adams is likely imminent. Although they’re both players who should be dealt as their future in the Bronx looks blocked, I wouldn’t be so jumpy as to put them together for a pitcher you don’t necessarily need.

The more substantial focus should be on finding a viable left-handed reliever. Although the Yankees bullpen situation is nothing to complain as it is one of the most elite in the business, one area of need is indeed a reliable left-handed specialist.

Right now the best option is 27-year-old Chasen Shreve, who the Yankees could only trust consistently for half a season in 2015. And with the left-hander being out of minor league options heading into 2018, he could be a possible DFA candidate if a better alternative out of the bullpen is found.

Next: Ashman almost done shopping for pitching

With all this said, the message is clear. Gerrit Cole, without a doubt, would be a nice addition but certainly isn’t a necessity. This is a team already projecting towards 100 wins, and the addition of Cole may not change too much, except potentially lessening their farm system for the worse.