ANOTHER NAME TO ADD TO THE PITCHING WATCH LIST

We are all watching as the Gerrit Cole sweepstakes rolls on. He's at the top of a lot of holiday wish lists this Winter but he's going to cost a pretty penny and he's definitely in the driver's seat. We can sit and wonder if he wants his final destination to be with the Yankees, but reports from over the weekend didn't sound so encouraging.

According to George King at the New York Post, the Yankees are not considered to be an early favorite but this isn't new to anyone. King even said that could change by December or January but who knows. It's all a part of the rumor game that we know too well. But what if the Yankees aren't the favorites or what if the Yankees balk at the asking price?

Maybe they are, and in fact maybe several teams are. According to Jayson Stark of The Athletic, as many as 14 teams have called and asked about Cole Hamels over the past few days. Stark even said aside from Cole, Hamels might be the most sought after starter right now. I'm guessing he just happened to forget Stephen Strasburg somehow? Strange. I'm sure Zack Wheeler disagrees too since he's supposed to be highly sought after. Not by me, I have no interest but that's what the media continues to say.

At any rate, Hamels is getting a lot of attention. He's past his prime but, he has proven he can still pitch and he is a short term, more reasonably priced option who is looking for a job. The Cubs did not extend him a qualifying offer, so he can sign with any team and he won't be tied to a draft pick. All of these factors make him an attractive option for a team looking for pitching.

"I'll go every year. I'll prove myself. I don't mind having my back against the wall. I think I perform better like that anyway. It just keeps me more accountable," Hamels recently said HERE.

Hey, at least he has the right attitude. He also said he wants an opportunity with a team that are going to be postseason contenders. You can't blame the guy, he wants another ring and the Yankees have been close for a while now, he could be a difference maker. In 2019 he went 7-7, with a 3.81 ERA after rushing back from a strained oblique in July which hurt him. In his last 16 starts before his injury he had a 2.66 ERA and only 79 hits allowed in 94.2 innings pitched.

So are there really 14 teams interested and could the Yankees be one of them? Who knows, but it will be interesting to watch and see how the pitching market continues to unfold. Will the Yankees make a strong offer? We need the pitching, and I'm confident Brian Cashman is going to make the right moves.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @NYPrincessj