Cole excited to be part of Astros staff

HOUSTON » Gerrit Cole is joining a rotation filled with aces.

“I was just tremendously excited,” Cole said Wednesday, four days after the Houston Astros acquired him from the Pittsburgh Pirates. “I was out with some friends having a good time for my wife’s birthday weekend. So, it was a really good phone call. How you can ask for anything more than coming to the World Series champions.”

Wearing a No. 45 uniform, the 27-year-old right-hander was introduced at Minute Maid Park. He was obtained for right-handed reliever Michael Feliz, right-hander Joe Musgrove, infielder Colin Moran and outfield prospect Jason Martin.

Houston ace Dallas Keuchel was joined late last season by Justin Verlander, who helped the Astros win their first championship.

“I’m certainly happy with the depth of this rotation,” Astros

manager A.J. Hinch said. “It’s hard to argue the quality we can throw out there every day if we are healthy and if we continue to push forward.”

Cole was 12-12 with a 4.26 ERA last year, leaving him 59-42 with a 3.50 ERA in 127 big league starts.

He will make $6.75 million in 2018, is arbitration eligible again next winter and can be a free agent after the 2019 season. The New York Yankees, who lost Game 7 of the AL Championship Series to the Astros, were thought to be interested in Cole.