Ex-teammate: N.Y. and Cole would be perfect for each other
The Yankees’ attempt to land Pittsburgh right-hander Gerrit Cole might be more complicated now that the Astros have reportedly also talked to the Pirates about trading for the 27-year-old, but if Cole does come to The Bronx, the catcher who has been behind the plate the most during the pitcher’s career believes it would be an ideal match.
“It would absolutely be a good fit,” said Chris Stewart, Cole’s teammate for the last four years in Pittsburgh following Stewart’s two seasons with the Yankees. “He wants the ball and relishes the attention, so the New York spotlight won’t get to him. He enjoys it. If he does end up going to the Yankees, not much will change for him. He’ll still be a bulldog.”
A bulldog who tied for the National League lead with 33 starts last season after dealing with elbow in- flammation in 2016.
The biggest concern with Cole, however, is the fact that he also gave up a careerhigh 31 homers last year — a number only exceeded in the NL by the Cubs’ John Lackey.
Stewart, while glowing in his praise of Cole, acknowledged the home run ball was a problem they couldn’t figure out.
“I can’t pinpoint anything,” said Stewart, who is now a free agent. “People said the ball was harder and obvi- ously there were more home runs everywhere last season. I don’t know if it’s because there’s more emphasis on the launch angle and maybe those things affected [Cole] more than some other pitchers. We talked at the end of the year about how if he could eliminate half the home runs, he would have had a good season.”
Instead, he finished with the worst ERA of his career and has been unable to match the effectiveness he had in 2015, when he made his lone All-Star team.
“I’m sure he can make some changes going into next season,’’ Stewart said. “But the fact that he was able to take the mound every start is so valuable. He’s able to grasp what you tell him. The combination of stuff and understanding how to be successful is what sets him apart.”
In some ways, Stewart said, Cole reminded him of CC Sabathia — at least when it came to his approach to the game.
“He’s a lot like CC in that he’s going to give you everything he has, all the time,” Stewart said. “He’s into the game and he’ll be a good example to younger players in the clubhouse with his work ethic. He’s experienced the playoffs and just wants to win. I don’t think he’s gonna be happy until he wins a World Series.”
And with the Pirates seemingly on the verge of an over-
haul, Cole figures to be headed elsewhere, along with Andrew McCutchen and Josh Harrison, so his best chances of winning appear to be elsewhere.
The Yankees can afford to be patient, with a rotation that already includes Sabathia, Masahiro Tanaka, Luis Severino, Sonny Gray and Jordan Montgomery.
“Sometimes a change in environment can help,’’ said Stewart, who caught Cole 48 times. The next two catchers on that list are also ex-Yankees, Francisco Cervelli (42) and Russell Martin (25).
“He’s been in a smaller market where you have to grind it out and battle to produce wins,’’ Stewart said. “Pittsburgh doesn’t have the Yankees’ payroll. With the lineup the Yankees have, you know the offense can pick you up. I think he would like playing in New York.’’