New York Yankees: 5 offseason moves needed to reach 2020 World Series

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 13: Manager Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees reacts during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros in game two of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 13, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros in action against the New York Yankees during game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. Houston Astros defeated the New York Yankees 4-1. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

1. Sign Gerrit Cole

The Yankees got to witness the greatness of Gerrit Cole up close and personal in the ALCS, and finding a way to get him wearing pinstripes next season needs to be at the top of the offseason priorities list. The Yankees haven’t had an ace of Cole’s caliber since Roger Clemens at the end of his career and have whiffed on several high-profile signings. Luis Severino has looked the part of an ace at times in his short career but is coming off an injury-plagued year and needs help at the top of the rotation if the Yankees are going to get over the hump and knock off Houston.

Brian Cashman has mostly shied away from signing big free agents in recent winters (to the chagrin of many Yankees fans who aren’t used to watching their team spend in a semi-cautious manner), but he may have to break from that trend to deliver a World Series title for the first time since 2009. The Yankees haven’t shown a reluctance to exceed the luxury tax threshold as their roster comes together around younger stars.

Gerrit Cole figures to land a contract upwards of $30 million per year, and the Yankees are one of the few teams who can afford to offer that type of money, regardless of what their overall payroll situation looks like. Cashman has made things work with a cobbled-together rotation and elite relievers, but the ALCS this year made it clear that approach isn’t going to work against a team like the Astros.

Stealing Cole away from the Astros would make the Yankees the favorites to win the American League, especially if they maintain their bullpen. They’ll have a better one-two punch in Severino and Cole than Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke, a better bullpen and a lineup that can equal Houston’s on its best day.

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