Pittsburgh Pirates Rumors: Cole to the Yanks Getting Close?

A trade that has been rumored since the Winter Meetings between the Yankees and Pirates may be entering the final stages.  Could Cole be on the move?

The talks between the New York Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates have apparently been off and on.  As of this past weekend, it seemed that a trade of Gerrit Cole to New York seemed close.  However, as time went on it was reported that talks had stalled out.  The Pittsburgh Pirates were demanding Gleyber Torres in any Cole trade.  The Yankees did not want to start a deal with Torres, and apparently backed away due to the Pittsburgh Pirates not lowering their price.  Well, it looks like something has changed in the talks.  According to Jeff Pasan of Yahoo Sports, talks between the two sides are back on, and it seems to be progressing toward a potential deal.  Here is a tweet from Passan regarding talks:

"Sources: The New York Yankees are working on a deal to acquire starting pitcher Gerrit Cole from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Sides are talking, and while a final package has not come together, there is confidence. “A matter of when rather than if,” one source said."

So according to Passan, a deal seems more likely than ever.  Something must have changed between the two sides to spark talks back up.  Jon Heyman tweeted that the Bucs were still insisting on Torres.  So it is hard to say if the Yankees are starting to feel inclined to make the move for the stud starting pitcher.  Meanwhile, George King of the New York Post is reporting something different.  King wrote that,

"According to a person with knowledge of the talks the Yankees and Pirates will get “a deal done’’ that will drop Cole into The Bronx without sacrificing stud prospects Gleyber Torres and Estevan Florial."

King goes on to write that the Yankees and Pirates could look to expand a trade.  That could be why talks have rekindled.  It has been well noted this offseason that the Pittsburgh Pirates would consider trading Josh Harrison.  The Yankees lost Todd Frazier and Chase Headley at third base this offseason, and they also traded their second baseman Starlin Castro, so Harrison could make sense for them.  Could the inclusion of Harrison be enough to get the Yankees to consider parting with Torres?  If not, King believes that the Pirates and Yankees will match up on a Cole trade. He believes it will include two of their other top three prospects in Clint Frazier, Miguel Andujar, or Chance Adams.

Next: Cutch on the move out west?

A deal between the two sides seems to be moving toward the finish line.  Right now the biggest hold up may be whether or not the Bucs will be sending just Cole or expanding it to an even bigger blockbuster and including Harrison.  Either way, Friday will be interesting as even more info and rumors will likely be coming out, if not, a completed deal.