Pirates, Yankees trade talks heating up again over Cole
From local and wire dispatches
Discussions regarding a possible trade that would send Pirates starter Gerrit Cole to the New York Yankees intensified Thursday night, according to multiple reports, after dropping off since the winter meetings.
Yahoo Sports and MLB.com reported Thursday night that the two sides were working on a deal to send Cole, a 27-year-old right-hander, to New York. Cole has two years of team control left before reaching free agency after the 2019 season. MLB Trade Rumors projects Cole’s 2018 salary, which will be determined by arbitration, at $7.5 million.
Acquiring Yankees top prospect Gleyber Torres, a 21-year-old shortstop and third baseman whom they acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Aroldis Chapman trade, is considered unlikely. One rival evaluator instead forecast a deal centered around outfielder Clint Frazier, a trade that could also include third-base prospect Miguel Andujar and possibly left-handed prospect Justus Sheffield.
Yahoo also reported that even if the Yankees did not acquire Cole, the Pirates were motivated to move him and likely would trade him somewhere else.
Brewers
Milwaukee boosted its starting rotation depth, finalizing contracts with freeagent right-handers Jhoulys Chacin and Yovani Gallardo.
Chacin’s $15.5 million, two-year deal and Gallardo’s $2 million, one-year agreement were completed Thursday. Chacin, who turns 30 in January, went 13-10 with a 3.89 ERA in 32 starts last season for San Diego. 28 homers last season and became a first-time All-Star The Indians also made minor league deals official with speedy veteran outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. and righthander Alexi Ogando, who can be a starter or reliever.
Nationals
Brandon Kintzler and the Nationals completed a $10 million, two-year contract that will keep the relief pitcher in Washington. Kintzler will earn $5 million next year under the deal announced Thursday. The Nationals also have a $10 million option for 2019, and, if that is declined, Kintzler has a $5 million player option. The 33-year-old righthander went 2-1 with a 3.46 ERA, 10 holds and a save in
Boston pitcher Steven Wright’s legal troubles are nearing an end, but he might still face discipline from Major League Baseball. The domestic assault charges against Wright were “retired” in Williamson County (Tenn.) court Thursday, according to a statement released by Wright and his wife, Shannon, through Wright’s lawyer.
Elsewhere
Former Major League Baseball executive Bob Bowman was forced out last month amid allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior, according to The Wall Street Journal. The Journal reported Thursday that Bowman — the former CEO of MLB Advanced Media — was verbally and physically abusive to coworkers and team executives, propositioned and dated female colleagues while leading a partying and drinking culture.