Chicago Cubs Rumors: Showing interest in Pirates’ Gerrit Cole

The Chicago Cubs are following through on all leads for pitchers, and that includes the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Gerrit Cole. Could the Cubs have a package that entices the Pirates more than the Yankees?

Recently, the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates have been linked–loosely–for Gerrit Cole. Earlier in the offseason, it seemed like a sure thing that Cole was going to the New York Yankees. Don’t they all see that way? But after Gleyber Torres‘ (ex-Cubs farmhand) name was tossed in, things seemed to go silent. With the state of the Pirates, it’s hard to say if they’re going full rebuild or a re-tool.

We’re all aware that the Cubs don’t have the stocked farm system they once had before. It’s still a talented lot, especially with pitching. But not much of it is major league ready. In fact, you’re likely looking at two or three years for many of these guys to make their debut. With two years left on his contract, the Cubs would be hard pressed to know what they were giving up for Cole. At least, not in the same way the did for Aroldis Chapman or Jose Quintana. But would it be worth it to consider the deal if you were the Cubs?