Chicago Cubs: The impact of a Pittsburgh Pirates fire-sale on the Cubs

A blockbuster deal could be on the horizon

Earlier this month, the Yankees and Pirates were reported as being engaged in trade talks for Gerrit Cole and possibly Josh Harrison. The Yankees already have a solid rotation consisting of Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, Sonny Gray, C.C. Sabathia and Jordan Montgomery.

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While the top four of that rotation are experienced big league pitchers, Montgomery has just 155 1/3 major league innings under his belt. For that reason, it would make sense for the Yankees to add another mid-rotation pitcher. Whether Cole could fit that mold remains to be seen as the 27-year-old looks to bounce back from a rough 2017 season.

An emergent ace in Pittsburgh

Adding Cole would propel the Yankees’ rotation into one the best in the American League, assuming 2017 was an outlier for Cole.

From his major league debut in 2013 to the end of 2016, Cole established himself as an ace in Pittsburgh. Over 94 starts, the right-hander posted a 47-30 record and 3.23 ERA. In addition to that, Cole averaged 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings and logged an ERA+ of 118.

Despite those solid seasons, Cole regressed in 2017. In 33 starts, the righty went 12-12 with a 4.26 ERA. Along with that, Cole allowed 199 hits and 31 home runs in 203 innings pitched. To put things in perspective, Cole allowed just 36 home runs in the four years prior to 2017.