Are the Yankees bluffing on their interest in Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg?

The New York Yankees could pursue Gerrit Cole this offseason.
Sep 18, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) reacts after getting a strikeout during the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner made it apparent that his starting rotation wasn’t the issue in the loss to the Houston Astros in the ALCS. He specifically mentioned his team’s scoring production with runners on base, failing to mention the struggles of the starters throughout the regular season.

However, as long as the starting rotation performs in the postseason, their efforts throughout the year don’t matter as much. Losing young pitcher Domingo German to a domestic violence case for the playoffs undoubtedly hurt the rotation’s efficiency, but he’s expected to return in 2020 after he serves a suspension.

With the rotation looking solid next year, Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman don’t have to spend big money on pitchers like Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg. Passing on both would leave the Yankees with this grouping of pitchers:

  1. Luis Severino
  2. James Paxton
  3. Masahiro Tanaka
  4. Jordan Montgomery
  5. J.A. Happ
  6. Domingo German (after suspension)
  7. Michael King/Deivi Garcia

This is a solid unit, but plugging in Cole at the top would give the Yankees the best in starting rotation in baseball, without question. A Cole, Severino, Paxton three-man rotation in the postseason would be deadly, and they would give the Bombers the best chance at reaching a World Series in over a decade.

The restraint from the Yankees will be in regards to price, as Cole is expected to ink a deal worth at least $200 million. Strasburg will also earn a substantial payday, but his injury history will limit his max-contract. Cole is set to break the record for the highest-paid pitcher, likely making over $30+ million per season.

The Yankees have the money to invest in Cole if they wish, and his stellar health makes him one of the most attractive options in recent memory. It ultimately boils down to the other weaknesses on the team, and aside from adding depth, every position as a bonafide starter readily available.

Catcher: Gary Sanchez

1st base: Luke Voit (re-sign on a cheap deal)

2nd base: DJ LeMahieu

shortstop: Gleyber Torres

3rd base: Gio Urshela, Miguel Andujar

Leftfield: Giancarlo Stanton

Centerfield: Aaron Hicks

Rightfield: Aaron Judge

The Yankees have a ton of youth player featuring on the team, giving them ample cap-space to go out and sign a premium free agent pitcher. If Cashman is keen on winning a World Series soon, signing Cole or Strasburg undoubtedly gives them a significant boost.