1. Gerrit Cole
There is no arguing about who the Yankees’ top free agency target will be this winter. Gerrit Cole is the ace the team desperately needs. Even if it means overpaying for him, there is a real expectation that he’s a signing Cashman must and will make.
Cole will be 29 next season, but the fact that he’s an unquestioned No. 1 starter means that he’s going to be in line for a five or six-year contract at the very least. It’s also very likely that he’ll be looking for a salary in excess of $20 million per season. That might be a tough contract for Cashman to swallow, but it shouldn’t be a deal breaker.
The talented hurler has already provided the Astros with a WAR of 3.7 with a healthy portion of the season still in front of him. The fact that he’s also gone over the 200 innings mark in his last two seasons in Houston also should add to his value. Cole is not a five-inning guy. He likes to work deep into games and that has a great effect on his team’s bullpen.
In the eyes of many Yankee fans, this offseason is going to be all about Cole. It’s hard to argue with that line of thinking given the struggles of the team’s rotation to date. Cole is the one pitcher who’s scheduled to hit the open market who can immediately become the team’s ace. It will be difficult to pry him away from the Astros, but Cashman should make him an offer he can’t refuse.