Source: New York Post
The pursuit of Gerrit Cole continues for the Yankees. The relentless chase for Cole brought in the heavy hitters. Among them was Yankee three-time All-Star and five-time World Series Champion Andy Pettitte. Earlier this week, the Yankees flew across the country to meet with stud pitchers Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg in their hometown of Orange County, CA. And in the arsenal of conversationalists, among Aaron Boone, Brian Cashman and new pitching coach Matt Blake was Pettitte, potentially the game-changer for Cole's potential cross country relocation to the Bronx this spring.
"With his experience in the Bronx, at the top of the rotation, Pettitte surely was able to provide Cole and Strasburg with an accurate depiction of what pitching in pinstripes is like, and why the two righties would be up for the task should they sign this winter," reported Sports Illustrated.
Source: New York Times
With Strasburg rumored to be re-signed by his former team, the World Series Champion Washington Nationals, Cole is set to be the centerpiece of this year's Winter Meetings in San Diego, which opens today. Mentoring is essential for young players, particularly those who will play for a team like the Yankees, far from their home. It might just be the tipping point and unique value proposition for the Bombers to close the deal this time around.
"The Yankees seem to recognize this urgency in their courtship of Cole, 29, the free-agent right-hander who went 24-6 with a 2.39 earned run average and 373 strikeouts last year, postseason included. This is their third pursuit of him, in three different forums, and the setting in which they probably have the most control and the best chance of success," reported The New York Times.
Source: SNY.com
"Beyond talking baseball and what it's like to play in the Bronx in October, Pettitte can be a tremendous resource for Cole especially from a geographical standpoint," reported SI. Recall that "Pettitte chose to play in New York -- far from his native Deer Park, Texas -- on two separate occasions. Cole is currently in the midst of a decision to play with the Angels or Dodgers -- close to his hometown of Newport Beach -- or travel cross-country take his talents to New York."
Source: ESPN
Cole has said through his agent, Scott Boras, that he wants to play for a team that will consistently win, so perhaps location is not as much as a factor as originally mentioned. Pettitte was always grounded, always articulate and always consistent in his role with the Yankees. "The five-time World Series champion won 19 games in the playoffs, the most postseason wins in baseball history. Pettitte also holds the all-time record for most starts (44) and innings pitched in the playoffs (276.2)," reported SI.
If Cole comes to New York, Pettitte would be a great mentor to him, as a small-town boy who found fame in the bright lights of the big city. His coaching and support from Spring Training to October could make all the difference for Cole. Let's hope that the scale tips towards the Yankees this time and the third attempt to sign Cole is the one that sticks.
--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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