Fansided

Ranking the top contenders to sign Stephen Strasburg

By Joshua Sadlock

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)
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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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 18: Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees talks with James Paxton #65 on the mound against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in game five of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 18: Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees talks with James Paxton #65 on the mound against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in game five of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

5. New York Yankees

The Yankees have made Gerrit Cole their clear number-one target this offseason and just wrapped up their first lengthy meeting with his team. They also met with Strasburg, who is also represented by Scott Boras. Yankees owners have given the green light to offer Cole a record-smashing contract. They missed out on him in the draft after he chose to go to college and then came up short when the Pittsburgh Pirates had him on the trade block.

It doesn’t look like the Yankees are prepared to miss out on Cole a third time. If they are able to convince him to eschew returning home to California, the Yankees may feel a little bit better about failing to sign Patrick Corbin last year when the Nationals pulled out a sixth year to steal him away.

Cole is choice one for the Yankees, and their focus will remain on him until something changes. If he does pick a different suitor, the Yankees will have to quickly pivot to Strasburg but will have their leverage greatly reduced. Desperation won’t help convince Strasburg to come to New York.

If the Yankees want Cole, they’ll likely come up with more than enough money to convince him returning home to the West Coast in the winters is good enough. Strasburg will stay on their radar, but a deal with Cole could come together quickly if a record-setting offer is on the table.

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