2:44pm: The Astros are still engaged with the Pirates on Cole but are also still looking at alternatives, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter).
11:15am: Recent chatter of a possible trade that would send right-hander Gerrit Cole from the Pirates to the Astros intensified early today, with multiple reports indicating the sides were gaining momentum. And Jon Morosi of MLB Network (via Twitter) reported that a deal was in place between the organizations that would send Cole to Houston.
Ensuing reports, though, cast doubt and then fully refuted that agreement had been reached. Astros GM Jeff Luhnow said that there was “nothing imminent” in any of the team’s trade talks, per Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). And Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported (Twitter links) first that the deal had not yet fully been completed and ultimately that the apparent news of an accord was simply a “false rumor.”
All told, it seems there’s no reason at this time to believe a deal is particularly close to coming to fruition, beyond the fact that the sides have evidently engaged in serious discussion. Passan says a trade “is not happening” right now, while noting “talks could pick back up quickly.” And Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (via Twitter) suggests a trade “isn’t necessarily close.” Indeed, he also hears of another suitor being involved beyond the Yankees (the organization that once seemed likely to land Cole before those talks fizzled). With the necessary proviso that the situation can always change, then, it appears we’re mostly back to the status quo ante on Cole’s trade status.
Cole, now 27, remains a top trade candidate. He was the first overall pick in the 2011 draft. He ascended quickly to become Pittsburgh’s top pitcher, though he has not exactly been at his peak of late. In 2017, he worked to a 4.26 ERA in 203 frames. While that represented a promising return to full health after some limitations in 2016, it also was hardly the output that had come to be expected.
In 2015, after all, Cole had fully emerged as a staff ace, turning in 208 frames of 2.60 ERA ball with 8.7 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9. While his velocity and key peripherals have largely held steady, Cole was tagged for 1.37 home runs per nine — over twice the rate he had maintained previously. As Travis Sawchik of Fangraphs explains, Cole’s heater surrendered quite a bit of added pop in 2017, but there’s reason to believe he can refine his offerings to regain his standing. Cole will cost a projected $7.5MM in 2018 with one more season of arbitration control thereafter.
For the ’Stros, we’ve seen clear indication of late that the organization wishes to boost an already-strong rotation unit that was already boosted late last year with the addition of Justin Verlander. With Dallas Keuchel, youngster Lance McCullers, and the increasingly interesting Charlie Morton already on hand, along with breakout righty Brad Peacock, it seems Houston’s interest in starters is a want moreso than a need.
On the Bucs’ side, it’s still hard to know how things will play out this winter. Even if the team deals away Cole and other veteran trade candidates (most notably Andrew McCutchen), it may still have some designs on competing in ’18. But parting with Cole would unquestionably mean delivering a major blow to the team’s expectations for the coming season.
More broadly, questions persist about just when and how the player market will get moving in earnest. A deal involving Cole might have given some clarity to the outlook for free agent starters, while perhaps leaving the Astros free to dedicate financial resources to other needs (most notably, the bullpen). But with this prospective swap not occurring — at least at this time — we’re left with the same overall market landscape.
Hot stove?
Hot stove.
Wow. MlbTradeRumors really screwed this one up. Not professional. Hopefully a lesson has been learned.
Mlb trade RUMORS wrote about a RUMOR??!! How dare they do such a thing
It hurts my brain that you would think this to be true.
Nah dude, they’re seeing this one through… that’s why we’re here that’s why we’re here
Jon Morosi screwed up. Not MLB Trade Rumors.
Mlb Trade Rumors screwed up by hastily posting a headline that stated a deal for Cole had occurred (and not attributing it to Morosi, which it DID do in the article). That, my friends, is poor journalism. Simple as that.
Well, you’re the expert on “simple” apparently.
Your name has LA in it, we don’t expect you to comprehend basic concepts.
That sounds like a nice thing to say.
Umm, dude, no news organization puts attribution in a headline unless it’s offensively shocking. Headlines are supposed to get the read into the story and read it. They don’t exist to provide the whole story.
“Rumors” This was a rumors. Everyone thought Cole was on the move. When someone reports “Astros acquire Gerrit Cole”, it’s considered a rumors until the club officially says it’s true.
Pieces are starting to move!
Hope so. This will at least help the starting pitching market a bit. Or a t least takes them out of the market for starting pitching
Still cold. Trades ruling the transactions over FA signings.
Think Cole will demand to be traded from the stros since he had no say in this?
He’d much rather play on a fourth-place team than in the World Series.
Do you know how sports work?
Why would he? People get traded all the time without their say. It’s part of the game.
And their kinda the defending World Series champs soo…
If ya check out the Castro thread people seem to disagree
Because he doesn’t want to play for a horrible team
Don’t understand why you’re having such a hey-day with that. It’s not as if he’s refusing to play for the Marlins, he just stated that he would rather play for a team other than one that’s deliberately tanking,as he has a right to do- no matter how much money he’s making
Then why did he choose to sign with the cubs in 2006? Money? Or because he knew they would be good in 8 years? Dudes 26 and a baby
Cubs won the division in 2007 and 2008.
And Castro signed in 2006 and made the big club in 2010.. they won what 85 in 07? Those two tears were then followed by junk until 2015 so why again did he sign with the terrible cubs if money wasn’t the motivation? So your first contract is about money, but now that he’s been traded to a team similar to where he began it all and chose money over competing for a ring, he gets to ask to be traded because it’s not fair to him to be put in this situation? Am I getting this right? Oh and I’m not the original poster btdubs
People don’t demand to be traded from the current world champs. He didn’t just get traded to the Marlins, why on earth would he demand to be traded lol
He was traded to the Astros. Not the Marlins.
Even if he demands it, the astros fo should laugh in his face for thinking he gets a choice.
Well he has no say in it like most players have no say in it. How do you come up with something so stupid?
Nope, and he won’t quietly express to his agent that he’d like to be traded, either.
From a team that will finish 4th in the Wild Card Race, to the defending WS champs? Yea, I’d demand a trade from The Astros too.
Maybe he loves it in the steel city? Maybe he just bought a condo on the Allegheny with a beautiful view? Maybe he doesn’t know what to do with his terrible towel? Maybe he’s bffs with Sidney Crosby? Isn’t that what people were clamoring about Stanton?
Maybe he’s getting tired of fans making weird assumptions of his life
NOW CAN THESE DAMN FREE AGENTS SIGN
In a word, no. Almost every team in the league is now using the same type of evaluations on player values, which does not care about paying a player for production they will not realize. Players and agents on the other hand view it is a situation where a player has worked their butt off to finally reach this moment where they can cash in on that work. While age will inevitably lead to a decline, these players have gotten to this point by unconditionally believing in themselves and their skill sets. These two belief systems result in dramatically different views as to a player’s value. This isn’t to say that no FA will ever be paid. The exceptional players will always get paid. It is the good players and the very good players who are being left out in the cold.
We’ll see the occasional trade or lower level free agent signing through the end of January, and I’d be surprised if any top 50 FAs sign before February. It seems like at some point there would be a flurry of signings, but this year is different. I think there will be an overwhelming number of players in the same position as Stephen Drew and Kendrys Morales a few years ago – no contract until mid-season if at all.
That’s a bit extreme I think, no way does more than 1 or 2 of the top 50 wait until after opening day to sign.
Will this finally startup the offseason?
WOW!!!
‘Stros aren’t messing around.
Well everyone but LA teams mise well start rebuilding
by “teams” I know you mean Dodgers… and Angels?!?!? I’m glad someone else believes that the Angels are a threat to the Astros in the AL West.
Fisher, Moran, Reed and one of Martes/Paulino. Hope they were able to keep Tucker and Whitley.
As a Pirates fan I’d take this easily
Reed makes no sense in Pitt with Bell there. Unless I’m missing something. I’m an Astros fan and not up to date with the pirates
Theoretically Bell could play RF as well, but then more players would be on the move.
Reed is stuck to 1b… and hope for league average defense from him.
Put Reed on the bench. He would provide some pop off the bench, something that they need.
God no.. Polanco is enough of an adventure
I’d take the deal without Reed
4 solid guys would be a great Hall
Haul
I think that’s close, but no Moran. Maybe Kemp. Or White.
Get Jay Bruce to play left and order rings that say “back to back Champs”
My thoughts exactly, or Carlos Gonzalez on a 1 year deal.
Thank god the Yankees didn’t overpay for this guy!
Remember that thought when Cole helps them back to the Series again……
Lol. Astros will not be back to the WS while Cole is with them.
They made it to the WS with Charlie Morton and Brad Peacock, do you honestly think Gerrit Cole is worse than either of them? If so I have a bridge to sell ya.
As a yankee fan myself, I have been fairly shocked by other fan’s overwhelming dismissal of Gerrit Cole. He would improve any rotation. But, quite a reactionary, diminutive bunch, yankee fans tend to only see an era marker and view each prospect as the next coming of Ruth. “Babe Ruth jr for a 4+ era starter?! Idiocy I say!”
Are you kidding? This is the strongest team in MLB (in my opinion). Not only that but Cole no longer has pressure of being an ace. He can slide into the #3 slot behind Dallas and Velander and thrive.
srechter, only until they’re traded, at which point it becomes, “That bum? He was never going to amount to much anyway. Who needs him?”
Agreed i said “Phew” the second i saw this news. in my opinion not worth what they were asking for
The Yankees season hangs on CC’s knee and Tanaka’s torn UCL. They might regret not moving on Cole.
The last 4 seasons have “hung on Tanaka’s torn ucl” and Yankees have Chance Adams, justice Sheffield, Domingo Acevedo as several high end starters at AAA ready to make the jump if anything happens
Seem to be holding up pretty fine for the past few years 🙂
As “bronxbomber” below mentioned, the Yanks have tons of depth at AAA with the 3 guys he mentioned along with Domingo German (2.88/109 IP/119 Ko in AA/AAA), Luis Cessa and they can stretch out Adam Warren too.
However, I would like the Yanks to pic up a veteran or two that we can stash in AAA.
Wasn’t there a couple of articles about a month ago where they said they were going to stretch Chad Green out again as well? That is why I couldn’t understand the Cole to the Yankees rumors.. They have plenty of veteran starters and several alternatives ready to step in.. They need veteran infield depth, badly though.. They should hold onto Frazier and let him have another go at AAA and then offer him up at the trade deadline for a replacement for either Bird (injuries always befall him) 3rd (in case Andujar isn’t cutting it) or catcher (the Yankees are in trouble if Sanchez gets hurt)….
Agreed!
Pirates are blowing it up
They’re not really “blowing it up” imo until they market controllable players like Marte and Polanco. Cutch, Cole, and Harrison are all going to walk over the next year/2 years so they might as well get assets for them. Cutch could be replaced by Meadows.
Clearly they aren’t looking to compete for the next two years. Why not trade any asset with less than 4 years of control?
harrison has three years of control and is probably more crucial to the team than cole or cutch.
IMO: if they trade harrison they should trade everyone who they cant’ who isn’t crazy cheap.
dayummm. didn’t expect this
The Astros are perfect for Cole.. I bet he will finally start pitching to his potential.. He won’t be expected to be a TOR pitcher this year and with the Astros offense providing 3-4 runs per game he will be able to relax and just pitch..
Bingo, said that on the last board. He tended to try to be too perfect the last couple of years when he knew most times out, he would get little run support.
You hit the nail on the head! I am excited to see what he is capable of not having to be ‘the guy’.
More importantly, he’ll have a chance to mentor under Verlander, the first legit ace he’s ever shared a locker room with. I could see him really harnessing his liabilities
I’m glad they’re trading from their crop. When they have to pay their own they will decline
So we are rebuilding? If Huntington says he still thinks we can compete, he’s out of his mind.
He is not. We still can compete for the last place which we will perfectly do for the next 4 years at least.
A recipe for mediocrity, and sitting in the middle of the division for years to come.
Astros probably gave up nothing. Yet the Yankees had to give up Torres plus to get Cole.
That’s bc no one likes the Yankees or their fans.
That’s how we want it
Lol
That’s right….jealousy over the 27 rings!
Win one this decade before you talk trash with your legacy.
Hate the legacy BS Yankees fans constantly bring up. 20 of those 27 titles were won by 1962. 7 since is still good, but stop acting like the guys who won most of those titles are still alive, let alone playing and making the Yankees some unstoppable juggernaut.
Those 20 wins were done back when there was only 1 series in the playoffs; the World Series. Congratulations to them for winning the vast majority of their titles when there was only 1 series. Granted their playoff record is still no joke
Pirates probably got a few of The Astros top prospects. I’d guess maybe Paulino, or Martes, along with someone like Moran. Paulino/Martes would be a good young replacement for Cole, and Moran would most likely take over at 3B.
Paulino has very little value at this point
Where exactly did you get this info?
If the Pirates scoffed at Frazier or Adams, both top 50 prospects, then my guess is that the Astros gave up one of Whitley or Tucker. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense unless they were getting multiple guys that they felt were or will be top 100 guys in the next year or so.
Or maybe the Pirates just weren’t all that high on either of those guys…
Seriously lol it better be the Astros top prospect
Hopefully they know what little adjustment Cole needs to return to form. Typically pitching acquisitions have improved when coming to Houston the past few years so there’s a good reason to believe this might be the case. He’s the ‘Stros #4 to boot…wow.
All he needed was to be able to go out to the mound with the mindset that he did not have to try to pitch shutout ball every game. When he tries too hard, like every player, he makes mistakes. He does not have to try too hard if he does end up in Houston.
Wow interesting comment, especially since Pittsburg is supposed to have the pitcher whisperer who turns every pitcher into a winner.
Is it just possible that what you see in Cole is what you’ll typically will get, with a good year sprinkled in every 3 years or so….Oh, I guess you won’t be able to comment on that 3 year comment because he’ll be gone as a try Boras client who will definitely test free agency.
That was one of the two major flags that all us “bad” Yankee fans saw…..a 2 year pitcher who’s best attribute pitching in the NL was “200 innings”. Glad the Yankees didn’t pull the trigger, as Pittsburg was trying to fleece them with multiple prospects going over.
Can’t wait to see how the Astros follow up the 2017 campaign in 2018!
I hope they gave up the farm.
There’s a lot of Colin Moran-stans on the last post.
Guys, I don’t think a 2013 draft pick out of college who has a career 279 /.346/ .438 in AAA is all that special just because he was picked 6th overall nearly 5 years ago
He’s greatly improved. He would start somewhere in mlb at 3b. He had a great 2017 before fouling the ball off his face. Added more power and increased his walk rate.
And he’s just a piece not the headliner
The future of third for The Pirates is a bit blurry right now. Moran would help fill that hole. Plus, his numbers in triple-A were pretty good. In 338 PA (308 ABs), Moran produced a 308/373/543 slash line, along with 18 homers, and 63 RBI’s in 79 games.
I think it’s dis-genuine to look at Moran’s 2016 to 2017 AAA numbers and not appreciate the way he cut down on strikeouts and improved his bat to ball skills. Some guys need a 2nd go round to acclimate themselves.
I also think we get too caught up in devaluing prospects not listed on a top 100 list.
Maybe Bukauskas Alvarez and Paulino?
I wonder if they will continue to pursue another top arm off the market after this. That would be insane but totally doable for the Astros.
interesting to see how this might set the market for other top starters potentially on the block: Duffy, Archer, etc.
Considering contracts, Archer’s value is certainly higher than Cole’s while Duffy’s is, comparatively, more-or-less a wash (slightly lower production but 2 more years of control at a below-market cost)
Wondering about the package? Pitt likely blew it by not taking a couple of the high prospects out of the Yankees system when they had the chance. Frazier + Adams are likely much better than what they get from the Astros.
Not if Tucker or Walker are involved.
If they will take Walker we have a GREAT deal.
Gotta figure McCutchen is next to go.
Something built around Fisher and Alvarez would seem to make sense. I’d be surprised if they got Whitley or Tucker, although all of Morosi’s other reporting would seem to indicate that they did. If they got either of those two, that feels like an instant win for Pittsburgh
Morosi has no credibility left after this bomb.
Exactly Morosi has egg on his face!
Wow, Astros are going to be unstoppable.
Not really.
better than the yanks tho
Far and away the best starting pitching in MLB and one of the best lineups. Great bench and a solid bullpen. Who in the AL matches up with the Stros?
This team is loaded. Cole is their number 3 or 4 starter!
What in tarnation be occurrin round this parts?!?
Now that they have addressed the rotation with prospects, I bet they move on to use their $$ on bullpen help. They are doing exactly what they should, taking advantage of their winning window.
Yankee fans are complete babies ……If they don’t get the guy they want and have been after for a month they say,”Oh we didn’t want him”
Because only Yankee fans do that? It’s mixed feelings on him. (similar to how Red Sox fans have mixed feelings on JDM. Some want him. Some don’t)
Also, sounds hypocritical of a Yankee hater to say. If the Yankees do get a player they want, many Yankee haters will whine that they did get him (See Stanton, Giancarlo)
I’m fine without getting him. Cole isn’t worth Torres. Yankees will get someone else.
Also you other fans are babies. Stanton trades to the Yankees and you all cried that baseball is ruined and blah blah blah
Who ever said that? Baseball is not ruined because of 1 trade.
FUN FACT–not every post in here has to turn into being about the damn yankees.
Have you not seen every single thread involving cole to Yankees? Seems 80% of yankee fans didn’t want the trade to occur feeling he was an underwhelming option.
Not many Yankee fans wanted cole for the price Pit wanted…….
Most of us want him just not at the cost of Torres, Sheffield, Andujar or Florial. I absolutely would have no problem keeping Frazier or Adams tho.
Yanks have a solid 5. Spending top prospects for Cole wasn’t a major need
But Jeter can’t be in charge of every MLB team.
As a cardinals fan I’m glad he’s out of are division, he’s a stud.
Rebuild or retool, whatever you want to call it, the Pirates have been quietly “rebuilding” while competing the past five years….Bell, Frazier, Meadows, Tucker, Keller are in the majors or close. Marte and Polanco are still young. Taillon, Williams, Kuhl, Brault, Glasnow, etc.
If they get good pieces for Cole and Cutch, maybe Harrison, they can reset themselves to contend for another 5 year window quickly.
But, but, but….Salary dump!! Cheap owner!!!!! What else did the talk show guy say?? We never get nuthin!!
Joking aside, this is not a salary dump. This is a baseball move to get a package for a guy who will never ever resign with the Pirates simply because the Pirates can not afford to get into a huge bidding war for Cole on the FA market. Boras will advise him not to sign a thing until the bidding starts, unless the Astros offer a huge deal that would compare to being on the FA market now. Most teams can’t do that because that is a ton to put into one contract that most likely contain several dead salary years in it. Unless Cutch has said that he will take a discounted deal to remain with the Pirates, he will be moved too. Harrison will be moved if the Pirates can get a return for him.
My sources are telling me Darvish to the Angels. 5 yrs 115mill with a mutual option on a 6th year at another 23 mill.
where? link?
And your sources are? As an angels fan, I really hope we don’t pay big bucs to anybody.
Why wouldn’t you want your team to get better?
Don’t be surprised if this triggers a flurry of signings.
This is a solid move for the astros. Cole slotting 3rd in the rotation probably. They still have some money. Yes they have a big increase hitting the books in Verlander’s contract and they have to figure if they can resign Dallas Keurshel and perhaps even resign Cole – several considerations there as to what they do financially over the next few seasons. However, Darvish has no draft pick comp attached. If you’re Darvish and you see that they acquire Cole, and they’re coming off a world series win, would you say I want to sign there? Does it take them out of the running? Honestly, if I’m The GM, I turn around and use the Cole acquisition as leverage and sign Darvish. Cole has 2 yrs of control. Keurshel a free agent next season….sure they can resign some pieces, winning again this year may help that cause possibly…but at least one season of Verlander, Keurshel, Cole, Darvish…… Damn. I’d do it for the hell of it and say there, how about them apples.
My guess is Tucker, Martes, Moran, and another pitching prospect.
Now THIS is pod racing
The Astros now have the overall #1 pick for 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014
Was just about to write that
I think Appel and Aiken aren’t with them, right?
Correct. Correa is the lone #1 overall pick on the team or in the system. Bregman was #2 overall. Aiken was never signed and Appel was traded to the Phillies in the Giles trade.
And now (potentially) Cole
Meaning of course on their team at one time or another. Either traded or drafted
Astor’s please get this done and take him so we won’t make that mistake !!! Pleeeeeeease ? If not the Astor’s than someone else
McCutchen to the Giants next to complete the over 30 former all star team.
Even with longoria and if they got cutch they still won’t make the postseason.
I’m a Giants fan and I totally agree with you. Front office is more concerned with putting butts in seats than trying to build back to contention in a few years.
We are so desperate for action we are resulting to European Soccer style throw everything against the wall until it sticks sort of rumors.
Jon Morosi has failed us again!!!
Him and NIghtengale are the worst.
Thanks a lot, John Paul Neurosis.
Jon Morosi got trolled hard.
These Harvard guys…….not cut out for MLB.
ahahahah. and back to cold.
Unbelievable how nothing keeps happening. Big signing coming…Oh no…not true…fake news…the sun will come up tomorrow.
Fake news.
Well that was fun pirates fans… and once again, thank you Yankees fans for reflecting how this trade affects your team and feelings toward it.
And thank you for reflecting on how our feelings on a public forum effect your feelings 🙂
And thank you Yankee haters for telling us how Yankee fans Really Feel! We know how obsessed you are with us. About as much as your favorite team, whoever that is.
Astros. It was nice knocking you out of the playoffs btw.
Congrats. Took nearly 60 years for that title.. Looking forward to future rematches.in the playoffs the next several years. Yankees lost cause they couldn’t hit in Houston. (And if Houston lost it was because they couldn’t hit in NY). It was a very close series, which of course is why it went to 7.
Yeh, you really kicked our ass by that 1 game Dude!
In multiple posts you sound really bitter…
It was an awesome series. Both teams should be proud.
if it’s true, I’m glad because it means the Yanks aren’t dealing away their youth for Cole.
Astros won’t give up Tucker or Whitley so they aren’t going to be hurting either.
Nothing to see. lol
Can someone big get signed or traded please ? We were hoping after the ohtani and Stanton sagas were completed that there would be more action but it’s been a draaaaaaag smh
It’s as if every front office is saying, “Eh, we like our team as it is.” If the commissioner started talking about declaring a moratorium on all trades and free agent signings, you’d suddenly see a flurry of activity. This off season is sinking to the level of absurdity.
No one is being signed because Boras holds the keys to the Big free agents this year. He isn’t getting what he wants so he will hold out to the last possible moment. The other free agents are along for the ride when the top ones sign or teams just get fed up waiting then the dominoes start to fall.
This rumor had’to originate from the Pirates side!
Starting to think Huntington is just not a great GM..
Huntington problem is he needs to win every trade instead of both teams winning. He is tough to deal with, but I do think now Cole gets moved. He now knows exactly what he can get for him. I’m betting it’s either the Cubs, Yanks or Astros.
The Pirates can likely get more in July than they can now unless Cole sucks. It’s a bet on Cole’s performance.
When was the last time Huntington ACTUALLY completed a trade? Waiver claims and DFAs don’t count. He must have a gigantic silver plaque on the wall of his office that says, “The best trades are the ones you don’t make.”
Jon Morosi’s credibility is shot.
Just be patient
Heyman is saying a mystery team talked to the Pirates last night about Cole
Damn it Morosi. Maybe I should start to believe that a player has changed teams when I see his name on the back of his jersey in April.
How could you jon
I wonder how many pro players majors and minors keep tabs on this site.
I don’t trust anything Morosi reports.
He’s the clown that once tweeted:
“Clayton Kershaw has 7 quality starts in the postseason since 2013, tied with Madison Bumgarner for 2nd most in @MLB during that span.”
MORONsi?
Yikes, Morosi. Doesn’t always pay to be the first to break the news. If this doesn’t go through, he looks like an idiot.
This is what can happen when some people are in a race to “break the news” or when the Pirates hope to squeeze another prospect or player from Yanks!
This is kind of like the instant replay today, you think you know what the call is, but until you get the replay news it’s not a done deal.
The report probably came from Pittsburg via Morosi!
Your right, just trying to make the Yankees flinch.
Fake news from the media again. Big hot story, can’t wait to publish.
I wonder who gave this “info” to Morosi…
The Pirates have no reason to leak it, but they are somewhat inept at the PR side of things.
The Astros might have reason to leak it if they are trying to get Darvish’s price down.
Wow now Houston’s GM screwed himself bad. If he makes the trade fans will not be able to take his word for anything. If he doesn’t and another team gets Cole Train watch out. Lol this is funny drama. FYI yankee fans Cole is worth a lot on the right team. The bucs are not good and he would have a hell of a lot better era and record on a playoff team. If he were to go to Houston I say he would win 20-25 games easily.
20-25 games easily cmon man pitchers don’t win 20-25 very much anymore. I do agree that he would be much better with that offense behind him but let’s get real 20-25 wins.
Bruin1012…Please don’t feed the animals!
If he gives up 4-5 runs in the AL, that means that Houston needs to score 5-6 every game he pitches.
Just don’t believe that offense will blow everybody away ever game. Injuries, down years, wear and tear, and just that its a new year mean results can and most probably will be different, and that difference could make an acquisition like Cole a crap shoot given what they have to give up.
And, remember Verlander isn’t younger than springtime anymore.
???
How is this Houstons GM’s fault? He didnt start the false rumor. He didnt completely shut out the chance of a Gerrit Cole trade either.
Also, pitching record doesnt matter.
Pitching record doesn’t matter?????
Pass around whatever your smoking or drinking man and let us all hallucinate!
Pitching record includes ERA, runs given up, homers allowed, etc.
Did you notice how Porcello followed up his Cy year!
When i said pitching record i meant a pitchers Win/Loss record. Get a grip on reading comprehension, will ya?
20-25….why not 30-35? Its obvious that he’s that good according to you Astros fans.
I guess the last 2 years were just in our imagination?
J P Morosi is probably the worst talking head for breaking news….
Nightengale far worse.
They’re 1 and 2 in some order. I’d go with Nightengale as worse.
fake news lmao
Wow plot twist
How did possible trade talks go directly to a trade has happened?
loose lips sank the ship?? Actually thinking it still may be very close just not that close. May well be announced later today or tomorrow if indeed that close. Could have been all done but someone got cold feet as to the return.
I feel that if someone got cold feet to the return, it was The Astros. Since The Pirates asked for Gleyber Torres from The Yankees, I feel they asked The Astros for Kyle Tucker, and a few other top prospects in exchange for Cole. Even as a Pirate fan, I feel like that’s a hefty price for Cole.
I agree that if my premise of someone balking at the return at the last moment is correct, then it probably would have been Astros. It could have been all agreed upon but then one name bugged some one in the FO or owner too much to let that player be included. Still could go through with a tweak to the offer.
PS I am a Pirates fan too. I have no problem with a deal as long as it is at least a decent return for any of the names that are being mentioned in the trade buzz. If this were a true salary dump, all three would have been gone already. At least it looks like Huntington is looking to get some quality in return. None of these 3 will be signing a new contract with the Bucs except for possibly McCutchen if he signs at a discount to remain in Pittsburgh. Cole will be gone to the highest bidder in FA, Cutch will be offered a decent deal that would not be wise for the Pirates to match given his age and showing decline. Harrison can only keep up his style of play for a couple more seasons, max. Good time to move all 3.
Morosi is now the A-Rod of journalism. He’ll swear to your face it’s true when we all really know it’ll be a lie….
So more like Trump then?
lol hillary voters actually believe this
Go back to facebook if you wanna argue that garbage.
tell that to the guy who brought up politics in the first place bud
Pretty sad that the guy is so far in your head you come to a baseball site to talk about him.
maybe someone from the Pirates GM’s office leaked it, trying to entice the Yankees in uping their ante
Having an obvious suitor for Cole publicly declare (truthfully or not) a lack of interest only hurts the Pirates leverage.
The Astros (or even Yankees) would benefit by such a leak, not the Pirates.
I think it goes both ways. Luhnow wouldnt be the first gm to publicly state one thing and then do the other, in fact it happens a lot. It could start a bidding war between two of the favorite AL teams to make it to the world series in 18. Its been no secret that both teams want starting pitching and I would bet the Yankees would love another shot at the Astros.
Maybe it was the Pirates that made the leak about a potential deal in hopes of driving up some last minute offers.
Aren’t you getting tired of the fake news? Cole goes to the STRO’S.
I can see why they label this site “Rumors” …… LOL
Morosi looks like a clown.
I think mostly we’re sick of people like you who for some reason think this site is something that it’s not. If a story is released by an established reporter/writer, these guys are always the first to release it to the masses. It’s nice to have a one stop shop for all baseball news and, yes, RUMORS. So sometimes a story that isn’t true comes out. Big whoop. You think these guys wont be the first to correct any mistake that was made? Go back to Reddit, man.
Besides, Morosi was not the only one reporting on this earlier. Rosenthal was reporting it to be done too, I believe
Damn bro chillax. Sheesh
No Jack. It was reported as a done deal. That is NOT a rumor. That was reported as a fact and fans have ever right to call out Morosi for the false report
I guess people like you Jack that hearing false news.
I don’t and when HEAR IT IT PISSES ME OFF.
These people are how we get our facts..
I think we’re mostly sick of people like you that defend sh.t reporting.
Ah Bob Nightengale said no deal. Welcome to the ‘Stros, Gerrit!
Kinda reminds you of that Howie Mandel show………Deal or No Deal!
I feel like the dog who thought his owner threw the tennis ball, when he just acted like he threw it…..like four times in a row
Cardinals reach deal for Stanton…..
Giants reach deal for Stanton…..
Yankees reach deal for Cole…….
Astros reach deal for Cole………..
the first two headlines were accurate reportings, there were trades by both teams that were accepted by the marlins but hinged on a decision from Stanton. I dont remember ever seeing a headline for Yankees reaching cole either
There was a report around Christmas where a someone had said “Cole to Yankees is a done deal”. While not reported as a headline here, it was certainly enough to build hope.
Ah. Didnt catch that one i guess. A lot of people talk out their ass when it comes to these trades. Just recently they said the Yankees offered Darvish $140M but they pulled the offer after 48 hours. Thing is, Darvish went on Twitter and said he was never offered anything by the Yankees. And people say fake news isnt real
Pirates will get the short straw and screw it up. They suck and always will as long as we have this owner and FO
…and fan base.
Quote from Jeff Luhnow today:
“This is a unique market. There are still a lot of really good players out there in free agency and there are also players being discussed in trades that we have interest in,” Luhnow said. “We are going to be opportunistic. If something comes along that doesn’t hurt us too much for the future and makes us better this year and next year, we’re certainly going to consider it, and we have been considering it.”
Smacks of someone trying to up the ante. Say what you will about the reporters, but they wouldn’t have gone with it without an inside source. So, who has an interest in floating the rumor?
Pirates front office who wants the Yanks to get off the dime and give them the Torres package they want….
Or the Astros who want Tampa to get off the dime and give them Archer for the package they are offering.
I don’t think it happened accidentally.
Boy why does Morosi report its done? Oh he wants to be first to report it? Now he looks like an idiot
Jackson Cole Wyoming
You can bet this deal is the bag. Don’t believe the rumor that Luhnow is refuting the deal.