5 big free agents the Yankees will chase this winter

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 14: Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) laughs after not getting a called strike three in the seventh inning of Game Three of the NLCS between the Washington Nationals and the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

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1. Gerrit Cole

There is absolutely no logical debate about who the Yankees’ top target in free agency will be this winter. The same pitcher who helped put them out of the ALCS will be Cashman’s top choice to help the team win a World Series in 2020.

Cole is the definition of an ace who can anchor a pitching staff during both the regular season and playoffs. He showed that to New York by shutting their powerful lineup without his best stuff. Fortunately for Cole, he doesn’t have to be that creative very often.

When he does have his best stuff working, he can be absolutely devastating on the mound. That’s why he posted an obscene record of 20-5 this year on the back of a 2.50 ERA. That’s the kind of stat line that every team in baseball wants to put down for the ace of their staff.

This is the one player on the market where the Yankees will not allow themselves to be outbid. Cole might choose to stay in Houston or move to the West Coast for a variety of reasons, but none of them will be related to money. The Yankees will make the highest bid for Cole this winter.

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That’s because Cashman knows the success or failure of his entire offseason may rest with Cole’s decision. He’s that much of a difference maker. If he dons pinstripes next year, he would immediately catapult the Yankees into the role of World Series favorites.

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