Fansided

One free agent each MLB team needs to target this offseason

By Joshua Sadlock

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning during Game 5 of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, October 27, 2019 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning during Game 5 of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, October 27, 2019 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JULY 12: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros throws against the Texas Rangers in the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 12, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

New York Yankees: Gerrit Cole

The Yankees last year were outbid for Washington Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin because they were unwilling to guarantee a sixth year. Missing out on Corbin would not have been as difficult a pill to swallow had ace Luis Severino been able to stay healthy, but the 25-year-old was limited to 12 innings in the regular season and was not able to go more than four innings at a time in the postseason. The rotation was always going to be the weak link for the Yankees in 2019, but the weakness was especially glaring during their loss to Houston in the ALCS.

Signing an ace has to be the top priority for the Yankees this offseason, and Cole is the only option, with Stephen Strasburg unlikely to consider pitching in New York if he opts out of his current deal. Cole is said to prefer returning home to the West Coast, but for the right amount of money, he would likely consider the Big Apple. His presence would be an instant game changer in the Yankees rotation.

Working through the regular season with a middling rotation and a dominant bullpen has worked out well for the Yankees since their young nucleus of hitters came together, but the plan to ask starters for only four or five strong innings in the playoffs has not worked. It has now been a decade since the Yankees went to the World Series, an eternity for this franchise.

Related Story. 5 under-the-radar free agents the Yankees should target. light

To be clear, the deck is stacked against the Yankees in the sweepstakes to land Cole, but they have to try. Adding an ace is what it will take to topple the Astros for the American League pennant and the Yankees have the cash to make a competitive offer. If they are unable to sign Cole, perhaps a run at Anthony Rendon could be in the cards.

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