The New York Yankees used a secret weapon to lure Gerrit Cole to the Bronx

Could the Yankees pursue Gerrit Cole this offseason?
Oct 22, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) walks to the bullpen to warm up before game one of the 2019 World Series against the Washington Nationals at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees are clearly serious about bringing star pitcher Gerrit Cole to the Bronx after years of chasing him around the MLB. First, they lost him to UCLA after the 2008 MLB Draft and then again to the Houston Astros after the Pittsburgh Pirates elected to trade him.

General manager Brian Cashman has been chasing the ace everywhere, and this offseason provides him with the best opportunity to lure him to one of the most successful organizations in the history of the game. The Yankees have been consistent playoff contenders for years, and they are in a place to make a serious run at the World Series in 2020 with his services in tow.

The New York Yankees used all the stops:

On Tuesday afternoon, the Bombers met with Cole and super-agent Scott Boras in Southern California, where they had a “very nice” meeting, according to MLB Insider, Jon Heyman. Cole insisted that he had no West Coast bias attached to his decision and that he would be considering every team fairly, despite both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels pursuing his talents in free agency.

The Yankees brought in Andy Pettite to help smooth over the conversation, a player familiar with the Astros and Cole himself.

This was a slick move by Cashman and Co., who are all-in on Cole this winter. They have essentially opened up their checkbook to Boras and are just gauging his desire to come to the Bronx, where the media rips players apart, and the weather can cause issues. Gerrit did grow up a die-hard Yankee fan, which only helps their case.

The former Astro is expecting to land a multi-year deal worth over $250 million and $30+ million per season, which could undoubtedly push the Yankees over the luxury tax threshold. Owner Hal Steinbrenner has given them the green-light to do so.